volume 25/no.7 september 2005 3 MARATHON WOMEN HOW PUBLIC WORKS WORKS READY, SET, READ LANDSCAPE YOUR SLIPPERY SLOPE VOICES CARRY: A NEW MUSICAL PLUS… NEIGHBORHOOD SKETCHBOOK: SUNSET HILLS REACHING OUT TO TEENS FALL FIX-UP GUIDE The Smiths www.mtlebanon.org mt. lebanon 710 W ASHINGTON R OAD , P ITTSBURGH , PA 15228 TEL: 412.343.3407 • FAX 412.343.3753 E - MAIL : LEBOMAG @ MTLEBANON . ORG MUNICIPAL COMMISSION T Y E LY , PRESIDENT ; B ARBARA L OGAN , VICE PRESIDENT ; D ALE C OLBY , D AVID H UMPHREYS , K EITH M ULVIHILL PUBLISHER S TEVE F ELLER , M UNICIPAL M ANAGER EDITOR IN CHIEF S USAN F LEMING M ORGANS MANAGING EDITOR M ERLE J ANTZ ASSOCIATE EDITOR M.A. J ACKSON STAFF WRITER A NNE C AFFEE ASSISTANT TO THE EDITORS C HRISTINA W ORSING CONTRIBUTORS T RACY C ERTO , J OHN C ONTI , M ONICA K AO , F RANK K ELLY , B ETH M AY , D EBBIE M C G EE , L OTA M ITCHELL , C HRISTINE H. O‘T OOLE , V IRGINIA R. P HILLIPS , J OEL R OTEMAN , H OLLY S CHULTZ , J ANICE S EIGLE , L ARRY S LATER , A LICE D EMETRIUS S TOCK , C AROLE T AKACH , B ETSY T HOMPSON , B OB T AYLOR , E LAINE W ERTHEIM , W ILLIAM W YLIE , A NDREA Z RIMSEK INTERN S TEVE S ILVER COPY DESK J OHN P ARKER , HEAD ; E LAINE C APPUCCI , H ENRY D AUBNER , J OYCE D E F RANCESCO , C AMILLE H UZZARD , S HANNON P ROUD , D ENISE R ITTER ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER H ELEN M W ORSING ith the exception of a short-lived Friday club that I organized for a few sixth-grade friends, I don’t think I have ever founded anything. Not even this magazine, although I have been here so long it sometimes feels that way. And certainly not anything that will last for centuries. Thus, it’s intriguing for me to reflect on our ongoing series on Mt. Lebanon’s founding families, which this month features M. A. Jackson’s story on the Smiths, page 52. What must it be like to be George Neeld, George Smith or Templeton Smith, Jr.—all active Mt. Lebanon residents today who can take pride in the fact that decisions made by their Smith ancestors more than a cen- tury ago shaped the community we live in today? How interesting it must be to think that the values, habits and traditions of their families and a handful of other early settlers formed the foundation of the common culture that characterizes Mt. Lebanon. The Smiths’ earliest American ancestor immigrated to America from Ireland in 1736. By 1912, when Mt. Lebanon was founded, his descendants had long been farming in this area, and 100 acres of their land became part of Mt. Lebanon Township. By all accounts, the Smiths were unpretentious, hard-work- ing, friendly, God-fearing people who didn’t hesitate to speak their minds when they felt strongly about something that needed to happen or to change. That description not only applies to the contemporary Smiths, but to many of us who call Mt. Lebanon home today. Baking a pie to welcome a new neighbor may have morphed into a quick hello and a box of store-bought brownies. Our “farmers” are likely to be weekday lawyers and weekend gardeners. A few show-offs have infiltrated. And “God” is no longer exclusively Presbyterian. Still, by and large, our town is filled with people who work diligently but still find time to maintain their homes, know their neighbors, keep an eye on their kids, support a religious congregation and volunteer for community organizations. And if you’ve attended a recent Mt. Lebanon Commission meeting, you’ll know Mt. Lebanon residents speak out clearly (and usually politely) about their vision for the community—just as the early Smiths did. People who move here from Boston, New York or San Francisco may find Mt. Lebanon’s culture quaint at best, old-fashioned at worst. Even some of us who have lived here for years may yearn occasionally for a glitzier, ritzier place—somewhere that you don’t run into your neighbor in your bathrobe while fetch- ing the morning paper, where nobody knows your name or your business. But then comes the annual block party…the neighborhood garage sale…the Friday night high school football game…a memorable moment over Spaghetti-Os with your child, who walked home for lunch…a casserole from a neighbor, who heard there was an illness or a death in the family, and we’re glad we live here. Those of us who know we’re in the right place owe a debt to the founding families who fostered the cul- ture that makes Mt. Lebanon more than an address. It’s not Shadyside, or Sewickley Heights or Peters Township or Pine Township. And it sure ain’t Manhattan. It’s just home. W PHOTOGRAPHERS Susan Fleming Morgans Editor in Chief E RIN A RNOLD , M ARY J ANE B ENT , C OREY L A C HAT , G ENE P USKAR , E D R IEKER , C HRISTOPHER R OLINSON , R ENEE R OSENSTEEL ADVERTISING DIRECTOR D IANE C YPHERS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES C YNTHIA G ISSIN , J EAN P ETERSON , K RISTA T ROY F OSTER E M E R G E N C Y O N L Y POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL RESCUE 9 1 1 O V E R N I G H T P A R K I N G R E Q U E S T S ( C A L L B E F O R E 1 1 P . M . ) 4 1 2 - 3 4 3 - 4 0 2 3 PRODUCTION ASSISTANT R ITA L EVINE mt lebanon magazine is published by Mt. Lebanon Municipality, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228. The magazine is a non- profit source of public information, taking a constructive approach to com- munity and regional issues, news, trends and events. Copies are mailed free to residents 10 times a year (Jan./Feb. and July/Aug. are combined). If you do not receive a copy, tell your postal carrier. Nonresident subscriptions are $35. mt lebanon does not accept political advertising of any kind and reserves the right to refuse advertising that is inconsistent with the magazine’s purpose or aesthetic standards. mt. lebanon magazine never knowingly publishes adver- tising that is misleading or makes fraudulent claims. If you have a concern about an advertisement offer, you should contact the Better Business Bureau of Western Pennsylvania, 412-456-2700 or www.pittsburgh.bbb.org mt lebanon magazine issues from 2002 to the present may be viewed online at www.mtlebanon.org. Bound volumes of all past issues are available at Mt. Lebanon Public Library. Extra copies are available at Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, Scott, Castle Shannon and Upper St. Clair libraries, area coffee shops and Borders Books and Music. ©2005 Mt. Lebanon, Pa. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced without permission of the editor. GENERAL OFFICES 412-343-3400 Fax 412-343-3753 Mt. Lebanon InfoLine 412-343-0400 Homepage: www.mtlebanon.org Administration 412-343-3404 412-343-3409 Recreation Programs Police/Fire Non-Emergency 412-531-5300 412-341-LEBO Recreation INFOLINE Public Works 412-343-3403 412-561-4363 Ice Rink Inspection 412-343-3408 412-561-6626 Swimming Pool Economic Development 412-343-3412 412-561-9761 Golf Course Tax Office 412-343-3405 412-343-3411 Tennis Center Finance 412-343-3410 412-531-1912 Library Sewage Billing 412-343-3406 412-561-5405 Outreach Magazine 412-343-3407 412-343-0369 TTY (deaf non-emergency) Public Information 412-343-3407 412-343-5111 Medical Rescue Team South www.mtlebanon.org 5 mt. lebanon C O N T E N T S features 42 44 42 44 48 52 59 64 LANDSCAPE YOUR SLIPPERY SLOPE You could just plant grass, but why be prosaic when eye-catch- ing alternatives abound? By Janice Seigle HOW PUBLIC WORKS WORKS A look at the DPW—the department you can’t live without when something goes wrong. By Merle Jantz VOICES CARRY A new musical written and performed by Mt. Lebanon women will benefit victims of sexual abuse. By Susan Fleming Morgans THE SMITHS Templeton Smith III lives more than a century away in time but only a few minutes on foot from the farm where his ances- tors were among Mt. Lebanon’s founding families. By M.A. Jackson READY, SET, READ With a boost from Mt. Lebanon Public Library, a unique par- ent/child book club has kids reading for pleasure and sharing their excitement about it. By Holly Schultz MARATHON WOMEN Three good friends, each for a different reason, achieve their goal of “running Boston.” By Anne Lutz ABOUT THE COVER Does this guy look familiar? Very likely, you have run into one of his progeny, who still live in this area. He’s Richard Lesnett Smith, born in his parents’ log cabin in Castle Shannon in 1865, long before Mt. Lebanon became Mt. Lebanon in 1912. See story, page 52. 48 Cover photo courtesy Smith family archives mt. lebanon Vol. 25/No. 7 september 2005 departments 64 8 EVENTS 10 LETTERS 11 AROUND TOWN Town Topics…11 Community Updates…18 Public Safety…28 Ones to Watch…70 Mark Your Calendar…84 30 COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT K EITH M ULVIHILL 62 62 OUT OF BOUNDS Laid back fun on a recumbent bike. By Christine H. O’Toole 94 LIBRARY PROGRAMS 96 BACKWORDS Coffee and kleenex. By Monica Kao 96 market place market place 32 FALL FIX-UP GUIDE 87 COUPONS 92 CLASSIFIED ADS community events community events community events community events ▲ mt. lebanon magazine’s Community Events page offers free announcement space to non- profit organizations. Please send event information at least six weeks before publishing date (November 2005 issue information is due by Tuesday, Sept. 20). Fax: 412-343-7841; E-mail: mjackson@mtlebanon.org; Mail: 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. For more information call 412-343-3790. MARKET DAYS An eclectic open-air market featuring flowers, antiques, collectibles and French flea market items takes place 9 A . M .-1 P . M ., Saturday, Sept. 10, Corner Shops of Mt. Lebanon, Shady Drive East and Castle Shannon Boulevard. Tables are $25 at 412-341-5431. CALL FOR ARTISTS Mt. Lebanon Sunrise Rotary’s annual fine arts festival “Art in the Park,” is Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2. Call 412-561-1224 for information and applications. WESLEY TOUR OF HOMES Noon-5 P . M ., Sunday, Oct. 2. Five beautiful homes. Tea at Christ Methodist Church from 3 to 5 P . M . Tickets are $25 at Calico Corners, Ace Hardware, Gifted, The Treehouse or at the door. 412-833-0688. THE ART OF FOOD AND WINE 6-9 P . M ., Thursday, Sept. 8. National Aviary. Wine from seven area wine pur- veyors, food from 12 restaurants (including Luma and Palomino), silent auction, live entertainment. Tickets are $50 at 412-939-2302. Benefits HEARTH (Homelessness Ends with Advocacy, Resources, Training and Housing). DAGUERREIAN SOCIETY Teams up with Silver Eye Center for Photography for “Daguerreian Niche: Works by Modern Artists,” Sept. 15-Oct. 15, 3043 West Liberty Ave. Free. 412-343-5525. www.silvereye.org. daguerre.org KAREN HAN & FRIENDS IN CONCERT 8 P . M ., Saturday, Oct. 15, CAPA, 111 Ninth Street, Downtown Pittsburgh. Music, dance and the “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Erhu Concerto” performed by Han and the CAPA Symphony Orchestra. Tickets: $15, students; $20, general; $50, VIP (includes reception). 412- 344-5628. Dormont’s Daguerreian Society will present a photography exhibition Sept. 15-Oct. 15. The Mt. Lebanon Council of Republican Women’s benefit luncheon and fashion show is Saturday, Oct. 15. See “be there!” for details. 8 mt. lebanon • september 2005 be there! FESTIVAL OF BANDS 7 P . M ., Saturday, Oct. 15 (rain or shine), Mt. Lebanon High School sta- dium. Features area bands and the Mt. Lebanon Marching Blue Devils. Tickets available at the gate. 412-563- 1556. TEA THYME 1 P . M ., Sunday, Oct. 30, Hyeholde Restaurant, Moon Township. A selec- tion of teas, finger sandwiches and desserts, live music, silent/chinese auc- tion and door prizes. Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Tickets are $35 at 412-264-3116. MUSIC FOR MT. LEBANON Diamond Jubilee Anniversary is 5 P . M ., Saturday, Nov. 19, Holiday Inn, Fort Couch Road. Singer, songwriter, pianist and comedian Cahal Dunne will provide entertainment. Tickets at 724-941-9490. CELEBRATING DIVERSITY Saturday, Sept. 10, share your Dream for America in song, poetry or just words. Bring and share international snack and finger foods. 12:30-2:30 P . M ., Southminster Church, 799 Washington Road. Activities for chil- dren. 412-344-2469. PITTSBURGH HISTORY & LANDMARKS An Evening at Fox Chapel Golf Club 5-8 P . M ., Sunday, Oct. 2, includes a lec- ture on clubhouse architect Brandon Smith, followed by a tour and buffet supper. $25 members of PHLF; $35 non-members. Reservations at 412- 471-5808, ext. 514. THE SEESAW CENTER An indoor play center for parents or caregivers and children birth through kindergarten is accepting applications for 2005/2006 season. Information at www.seesawcenter.org. FAMILY HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE Toast to Life Celebration is Oct. 22, Carnegie Music Hall foyer. This formal dinner/dance benefits hospice patients and their families. For ticket informa- tion, call 412-572-8812. St. Clair Hospital Auxiliary’s Fall Fashion Fling is 11:30 A . M ., Wednesday, Sept. 28, The Club at Nevillewood. Fashions by The Casual Corner at the Mall at Robinson. Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $25 at 412- 942-2085. Benefits Lifeline, the hospital’s personal emergency response program…St. Louise de Marillac Guild’s Coronet Luncheon “My Fair Lady” is 11 A . M .-3 P . M ., Saturday, Oct. 1, Southpointe Hilton Garden Inn. Features fashions by Carabella. $30 donation benefits local charities. Lunch, fashion show and raffles. Reservations by Sept. 25 at 412-833- 4662…The Mt. Lebanon Council of Republican Women will hold a ben- efit luncheon and fashion show Saturday, Oct. 15, St. Clair Country Club. Fashions by Pendleton, silent and Chinese auction and raffle. Proceeds benefit educational and civic activities. Donation is $30 at 412-563-4737. Pictured at left are committee members Beverly Saulnier, Charlotte Simmons, Carol Ferguson, Carol Lee Shepherd, Laura Turney and Grace Deiulis. Not pictured: Mary Clements, Helen Harris, Terri Shedlock, Denise Skoutelas and Rose Liptak. PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER The Meltdown 05 fund-raiser is 7-11 P . M ., Saturday, Sept. 24, 5472 Penn Ave. Live auction, silent auction, glass sale and more. Sneak peek at “Well Hung: Chandeliers Revealed.” For ticket information, call 412-365-2145 ext. 207. www.pittsburghglasscenter.org. SEWICKLEY VALLEY ANTIQUE SHOW Child Health Association of Sewickley's Antique Show is Sept. 30, Preview Party; Oct. 1 and 2, Show, Edgeworth Club, Sewickley. Includes 32 dealers. Lecture: Antiques 101, 7-9 P . M ., Sept. 22. Sponsored by Comcast, PNC Advisors, Howard Hanna, Esmark. 412-741-2593 for reserva- tions or inquiries. A FAIR IN THE PARK Contemporary fine arts and crafts fair sponsored by The Craftmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, Sept. 9-11, Mellon Park, Shadyside. 1-7 P . M ., Friday; 10 A . M .-7 P . M ., Sunday and 10 A . M .-5 P . M ., Sunday. More than 125 local and national artists will display a variety of mediums. Craft demonstrations, chil- dren’s activities, local bands and food. 412-372-8044. CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS AMERICAN LEGION Mt. Lebanon Post #156 of the American Legion will install new offi- cers 7:45 P . M ., Sept. 13, VFW Hall, 3410 West Liberty Ave. All WWII, Korean, Vietnam or current conflict veteran are welcome. 412-531-6827. WOMEN’S GOLF ASSOCIA- TION OF MT. LEBANON Looking for new members for the 2006 season. Meets 7:30-9:30 A . M ., Tuesdays, April until October. It’s not to late to join the 2005 season! Open to all women golfers—you do not need to live in Mt. Lebanon. 412-221- 0115. THREE RIVERS CHORAL SOCIETY AUDITIONS For all voice parts. Auditons held Tuesdays in September, Faith Lutheran Church of Upper St. Clair, 80 Bartley Road (off Rt. 19). For an appointment, call 724-348-5320. MT. LEBANON JUNIOR WOMEN'S CLUB A fun social and civic club where new members are welcome. Activities include lunch with babysitting, wine and dine and volunteer opportuni- ties. Call now for information regard- ing the August new member social. www.mljwc.org. 412-531-5002. NEWCOMERS’ CLUB OF MT. LEBANON A social club where new friends are made. Open to Mt. Lebanon women who are new to the area or are just looking to meet new people. $30/year membership. 412-531-2581. don’t miss… Family House Polo is Saturday, Sept. 10 at Hartwood Acres. Gates open at 11 A . M . for tail- gating and entertainment. Polo matches begin at 1 P . M . There will be merchandise boutiques, The Eclectic Art Gallery of Emsworth will exhibit art and children can hang out in the children’s entertainment tent and the petting zoo. Tickets start at $150 (includes parking pass and admis- sion for four) www.familyhousepolo.org. 412- 647-5811. WOMAN'S CLUB OF UPPER ST. CLAIR A social, cultural and philanthropic organization. We have Book, Drama, Home & Garden, Today's Living and Junior Woman departments. 412- 835-9607 or www.mainstreetusc.com, click on “Clubs.” HARMONY SINGERS OF PITTSBURGH All male and female voices welcome. Performance experience and ability to read music are preferred, but not required. Rehearsals are held in the South Hills. Information at 412-952- 5602 or 412-854-5696. www. harmonysingers.org CATHOLIC BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION Meets several times per year for reli- gious and social events. Information at 412-628-7132. CLASSES & LECTURES WOODVILLE PLANTATION SPEAKER SERIES The National Historic Landmark, located on Route 50, presents a lecture on the proper preservation of historic documents with Jean Ann Croft of the University of Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 11. House tours will be given between 1 and 4 P . M .; lecture at 1:30 and 3 P . M . www.woodvilleplantation.org. THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MOUNT LEBANON “Mt. Lebanon's Burial Grounds: The Evolution of Death,” 7:30 P . M ., Wednesday, Sept. 21, Mt. Lebanon Library, 16 Castle Shannon Blvd. Open to the public; refreshments will be served. 412-278-2272. The Western Pennsylvania Apartment As- sociation Golf Outing is Monday, Sept. 19, Hickory Heights Golf Club, Bridgeville. Registra- tion begins at 9 A . M .; shotgun start at 10 A . M . The $100 fee includes 18 holes of golf, cart, break- fast, refreshments, BBQ dinner, two drink tickets, a raffle ticket and prizes. Kicks off the WPAA’s annual food drive. Bring a non-perishable food item to be entered into a special drawing. 412- 257-0300. Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race—aka The Great Race— is Sunday, Sept. 25. Pennsylvania’s largest 10K race from Frick Park to Point State Park also includes a 5K run/walk. Marching bands, local musical talents and other entertainers will dott the course to the finish line. Competitors are invited to join friends and families for the post race party in Point State Park that will include award presentations. Register online at www.RunGreatRace.com for $25. or call 412- 255-2493. Presented by High- mark Blue Cross Blue Shield. REUNIONS HELPING HANDS BRAILLE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED “Introduction to Braille,” 1:30 P . M ., Tuesday, Sept. 13, Bower Hill Community Church. For volunteers interested in learning braille transcrip- tion (literature, textbooks and other printed materials. Lessons and materi- als are free. Registration required at 412-531-1883 or 412-343-3667. ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL Seeks volunteers for the gift shop, snack shop, information desk, escorts and clerical. Training, discounted meals and free parking. 412-942-2085. PARENT LEARNING SUPPORT NETWORK For parents of children with special education needs (from slight to very involved). Support, free monthly meet- ings, information. Free! Open to the public. 412-531-5869; 412-561- 8432. SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCE CENTER Adult section, Mt. Lebanon Library. Resources for gifted and disabled stu- dents including books, pamphlets, videos, Web site links and organization contact information. 412-531-1912. FAMILY CAREGIVER SERIES A three-part series hosted by the Alzheimer's Association. Covers com- munication techniques, behavior man- agement, the stages of Alzheimer's, the latest medical and research informa- tion, and more. 6:30-8 P . M .,Thursdays, Sept. 15, 22, 29, Covenant at South Hills, 1300 Bower Hill Road. 412- 261-5040. WOMEN FOR SOBRIETY Nonprofit organization helping wo- men recover from problem drinking. Meets 7:30 P . M ., Wednesdays, St. Paul’s Church, 1066 Washington Road. www.womenforsobriety.org. PAGE (PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION FOR GIFTED EDUCATION) For parents whose children are/may be gifted. Support/information. 412-343- 7641; e-mail: Lourdes@manyquarks. com or www.penngifted.org. MICHELLE’S PLACE A support group to help people with cancer lead productive lives while cop- ing with the disease. Meets 7 P . M ., the first Thursday of each month, Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church, 1207 Washington Rd. 412-279-3774. SOUTHWINDS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS This nonprofit organization providing community-involved living arrange- ments for mentally retarded and devel- opmentally challenged individuals seeks volunteers for help with special events and home improvement proj- ects and for being “special friends.” 724-941-7600. ASK AN ARCHITECT Mt. Lebanon residents who plan to expand or remodel their homes/land- scapes can have a two-hour consulta- tion with an architect. Sponsored by the Community Design Center's Renovation Network. Cost is $150. Call 412-391-4333. MT. LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL 1955 REUNION Oct. 14, 15, 16. Call George Schoeppner at 412-851-9132 for information. MT. LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL 1995 REUNION 7 P . M ., Friday, Nov. 25, Keystone Corner Room of the Pittsburgh Baseball Club Level, PNC Park. E- mail current contact information to mtlhsclassof95@hotmail.com. MT. LEBANON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1985 7:30-11:30 P . M ., Friday, Nov. 25, Heinz Field. Visit www.Lebo85.com or contact garlitz18@aol.com or marybethbeggy@clearchannel.com. DORMONT HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1945 60th reunion Sept. 16-18, Holiday Inn Select (by South Hills Village). Details/reservations at 412-561-1941. SENIORS ADULT INTEREST CENTER 10 A . M .-3 P . M ., Fridays, Southminster Church, Washington Road. Pro- grams, $6 hot lunch, cards and line dancing. For information on pro- grams, call 412-343-8900. This section made possible by: www.eckertseamans.com www.mtlebanon.org 9 letters Call Jo Ann… FOR ALL YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS T RUSTED R EPUTATION O UTSTANDING S ERVICE W INNING R ESULTS COMING HOME Please renew my subscription to Mt. Lebanon magazine for another year. Thank you for this wonderful way to keep in touch with my roots. The experts were wrong. You can go home! Bob Bennett Los Angeles, CA Editor’s Note: A subscription to Mt. Lebanon magazine is $35, which covers printing and mailing. C L A R I F I C AT I O N An article in our July/August issue humor- ously suggested that people with dogs in Bird Park should not forget their leash–“at least when the dog-catcher surfaces!” While some people do walk their dogs off leash in the park, it should be noted that it is illegal and there are stiff fines involved for violators. P U B L I C M E E T I N G S COMMISSION Mondays, Sept. 12 and 26, Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, Room A, 710 Washington Road. Discussion session 6 P . M ., meeting, 8 P . M . Agendas will be available the Friday before the meeting on InfoLine, mes- sage number 142 and 143. REMEMBERING VETS In “What’s So Special About Mt. Lebanon,” (July/August 2005), you requested that the readers E-mail to you things that they love about Mt. Lebanon. In response, I would like to offer the following. Mt. Lebanon’s lasting recognition of those residents who made the ultimate sacrifice while in the service of their country, in the form of memorial plaques dis- played at various sites. One such plaque, at the entrance to Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, includes the names of residents who lost their lives while serving their country in World War I. Other plaques are located at the entrances to Mt. Lebanon’s Main Park and Bird Park which list the names of residents who lost their lives while serving their country during the Vietnam War. We will soon have a play- ground named in memory of a native who lost her life while serving her country as an FBI agent. Only one problem, I still have not found the memorial or plaque which specifi- cally recognizes the 65 residents who gave their lives while serving their country during World War II. John T. Haller Moffett Street C, 7 P . M .; meeting, Commission Chambers, 8 P . M . Check the Mt. Lebanon Web site for time changes: www.mtlebanon.org. The agenda will be available the Friday before the meeting on the municipal InfoLine, message number 144. SCHOOL BOARD Discussion session, Building, 710 Washington Road, 7:30 P . M Monday, Sept. 12, Mt. Lebanon High School Library, 155 Cochran Road, 7:30 P . M . Regular meeting, Monday, Sept. 19, Mt. Lebanon High School Library, 155 Cochran Road, 7:30 P . M . ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TRAFFIC BOARD Wednesday, Sept. 7, Mt. COMMUNITY RELATIONS BOARD Wednesday, Sept. 14, Mt. Lebanon Municipal Wednesday, Sept. 14, Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Conference Room C, 7:30 A . M . HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD Monday, Sept. 19, Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, 7 P . M . PARKS ADVISORY BOARD Tuesday, Sept. 6, Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, Room B, 2nd floor, 900 Cedar Blvd., 7:30 P . M . Legend Award Chairman Circle 1996-2004 412.833.7700 10 mt. lebanon • september 2005 EXT 201 PLANNING BOARD Tuesday, Sept. 27, Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, discussion session, Conference Room Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Commission Chambers, 7:30 P . M . ZONING HEARING BOARD Thursday, Sept. 22, Mt. Lebanon Municipal Building, 710 Washington Road, Commission Chambers, 7:30 P . M . For information on locations and times for the remaining public meetings, click on “What’s New” on the municipal Web site, www.mtle- banon.org. Turn on Lebanon Cable Channel 7, or call the Mt. Lebanon Info Line at 412-343- 3400. Letters to the Editor are welcome in response to magazine articles or on topics of general community interest. Letters of complaint that are not printed will be forwarded to the appropriate municipal department head. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. Please include a name and address. Mt. Lebanon Magazine, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15228, fax: 412-343-7841, e-mail: lebomag@mtlebanon.org. mt. CONDOS ON WASHINGTON L uxury condos with first-floor retail storefronts could fill the vacant lots near Washington Road and Bower Hill Road near St. Bernard’s Church some time next year. Zamagias Properties, which has owned and developed projects at Robinson Towne Center and Donaldson’s Crossroads, presented plans to build two 30-unit luxury condomini- ums on two parcels of land at Washington Road near the corner of Bower Hill late in 2006. The Mt. Lebanon Parking Authority (MLPA) owns one parcel, former site of the Pennzoil gas station, and the other is a grassy lot at the corner of Washington Road and Bower Hill, owned by Ira and Peter Gordon. lebanon ♦ Phase One of the Zamagias proposal, called Washington Park, is a $32 million project of 30 one-, two- and three-bed- room condominiums, ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 square feet, with an aver- age sale price of about $400,000. That building, to be called The Madison at Washington Park, will be done in Tudor style. A 30-unit building planned for Phase Two, The Jefferson, will be done in collegiate Gothic revival. Urban Design Associates is the architect. The project, says historic preservation board chair and former commissioner Dan Gigler, dovetails nicely with the 1995 Chan Krieger Plan for Washington Road, which proposed moderate-densi- ty, lower-scale apartments or condos with a first-floor retail component. “The design appears to exemplify the ‘new urbanism’ concept that is so com- ➤ p.12 FINISHING TOUCHES Mt. Lebanon School District’s three-year, $50 million renovation of all seven of its elementary schools comes to a close this year with the completion of work at Washington, below, and Hoover schools. Although the work will not be totally finished in time for the start of school Sept. 6, the schools should be far enough along to open. The renovations are the first major upgrades to the elemen- THE ASBURY EMBASSY Asbury Heights will turn the six story, 61-unit, Embassy apartment building at 230 Beverly Road into 35 luxury apartments for active people 55 and older, starting at the beginning of November. The build- ing, which was built in 1923, was pur- chased for $1.3 million. It will undergo about $8.2 million in renovations and should be open by fall 2006. Asbury is hoping that younger, active people not ready for a retirement commu- nity, yet looking to downsize from the family home will ease under the Asbury “umbrella” of residential choices. “The average age of those in independ- ent living on the Asbury campus is 80 years old; the 55-plus group is a market we haven’t yet seen interest from,” says Audrey Burgoon, director of communica- tions for Asbury. Asbury decided to purchase and update the Embassy because they have run out of building space at their Bower Hill Road campus, she says. National Development Company is the contractor for the building, which will be ➤ p.13 Gene Puskar tary schools since 1966. TOWN TOPICS www.mtlebanon.org 11 T O P I C S ▼ T O W N p.11 patible with not only the adjacent areas—including St. Bernard’s across the street—but the entire community,” says Gigler. Earlier this year, five developers responded to a request for qualifications. Two of these developers—National Development Co. and Zamagias Properties—were then shortlisted and invited to respond to the request for pro- posals document this spring. In July, the economic development council recom- mended the Zamagias proposal to the municipal commission. The commis- sion, after discussing both plans in a public meeting that month, threw its support behind the Zamagias project with a recommendation to the MLPA that they continue discussions with the developer. If the parking authority decides to sell to Zamagias, the commis- sion will consider the sales agreement. The project will also need to proceed through landuse approval channels with the planning board and, later, the com- mission. An agreement of sale should be ready by September, says MLPA Director Rich Sahar, but won’t be final- ized until the planning board and com- mission give preliminary approval to the project, he says. Members of the commission agreed that the project would be a visually pleasing addition to the northern gate- way. “Architecturally, the design is attrac- tive and aesthetically unique,” says Commission President Ty Ely. “They are going to phase it in; they’re not going too far, too fast.” The project will include 11,225 square feet of retail space, with surface and underground parking for 141 vehicles, and a public plaza with seating, a foun- tain, bike racks and a bus shelter. H I S T O R I C P R E S E R V A T I O N B O A R D R E T R E A T T he Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board will meet in special session 9 A . M . to 2 P . M ., Saturday, Sept. 17, commission chambers of the municipal building, 710 Washington Road, to discuss long-range planning and intragovernmental cooperation. The public is welcome to attend . 12 mt. lebanon • september 2005 Gene Puskar Artist M. A. Sinnhuber, whose gallery “Art by M.A.” opened in June on the second floor of 701 Washington Road, offers free “get acquainted” sessions for adults who always wanted to put brush to canvas but never had the time or materials. Sessions include canvas board, paint, brushes and guidance and a bit of inspiration from M.A.’s artwork hanging throughout the ▼ studio. For information, visit www.artbyma.com. p.11 called “The Embassy, operated by Asbury Heights.” Perkins Eastman is the architec- ture firm. The finished project will have two one-bedroom units, 17 two-bedroom units and 16 three-bedroom units, rang- ing between 996 square feet for a one-bed- room to 1,404 square feet for a three-bed- room. Apartments will have 24-hour secu- rity with a doorman, concierge service, a full-time valet with car wash services, laun- dry rooms in each apartment, landscaped patio with gas grills, and an exercise facili- ty. Medium to small-sized well-behaved pets are also welcome. Residents will have three decorating “palettes” to choose from. Buy-in fees range from $178,000 to $237,000 with 90 percent of the fee refundable, plus monthly maintenance fees. Monthly rent will range from $1,900 to $2,681 depending on size. “What resi- dents are really buying into is the Asbury ‘continuum of care’ at the independent liv- ing level, off campus,” says Burgoon. Embassy residents will be able to switch to assisted living care if and when their health situation changes. Asbury will offer van transportation to and from the Embassy to the Asbury Campus so residents, if they choose, can take advantage of programs and services offered there and develop a familiarity with Asbury that will ease the transition to higher levels of care down the road. “This is a unique concept in the Pittsburgh area; if we’re not the first, we’re one of the very few doing it,” says Burgoon. For more information on the Embassy, call Bonnee Walker, sales manager, at 412- 571-5077, or visit www.asburyheights.org. KIDS PAINT PROGRAM LAUNCHED If your child’s idea of heaven is a set of markers, paints and a blank sketch pad, Mt. Lebanon artist M. A. Sinnhuber has an offer a parent can’t refuse. Sinnhuber offers a comprehensive art program called KidsPaint for children from age 4 through high school, covering the basics of compo- sition, color mixing, landscapes, still life, portraiture, hand-eye drawing and paint- ing. Fees for a one-half hour lesson, held at her new studio upstairs at 701 Washington Road at Alfred Street are $15 for a half hour or $25 for a full hour. Sinnhuber also offers a free “Get Acquainted” painting session for adults who always wanted to put brush to canvas. The free one-hour session includes canvas board, paint, brushes, and instruction, and is good through the end of September. A Washington Road resident, Sinnhuber started painting in 1990. She T O W N T O P I C S p.14 www.mtlebanon.org 13 T O P I C S ▼ T O W N p.13 Mt. Lebanon Post #156 THE AMERICAN LEGION Department of Pennsylvania, Inc. PO Box 11715 • Mt. Lebanon, Pa 15228 LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS FROM WWII, KOREA, VIETNAM, GRENADA/LEBANON, PANAMA AND PERSIAN GULF CONFLICTS. Contact Post Commander 412-531-6827 for information. FOR GOD, COUNTRY, COMMUNITY, AND THE VETERAN 14 mt. lebanon • september 2005 has studied at Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham College and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and is a member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the FiberArts Guild of Pittsburgh. Sinnhuber, who has four grown children, has exhibit- ed at the Watercolors Gallery, Studio Z Gallery, and galleries in Tubac, Ariz., and Ashland, Ore. For class information, call Sinnhuber at 412-341-8862, or visit www.artbyma.com. PIE IN THE SKY Pittsburgh consumers will be seeing more and more of the Sky —Sky Bank—over the next six months. Sky Bank, part of the Bowling Green, Ohio- based Sky Financial Group, will be open- ing this month at the former Beverly Dry Cleaners building at Cochran Road and Serpentine Drive. With 24 offices in the Pittsburgh region, western and eastern Ohio and greater Cleveland, Sky Bank will be expanding its reach into Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Ross Township, Fox Chapel and Oakland within the year. Rated the sixth largest financial institution in Pennsylvania, Sky Bank offers traditional full service banking, mortgage lending, commercial and small business lending, financial advisory services, private banking and commercial real estate services, in addition to retail and commercial insur- ance including auto, homeowner’s, life and health care. Eat ’N Park restaurants will install Sky Bank ATMs in all 75 restaurant locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. ALL THINGS GOOD Ona, a new boutique opening on Washington Road will have a “soft” opening on Friday, Sept. 2, during Washington Road’s First Friday street fair, and a grand opening the next day. The store’s name, says owner and Rosemont Drive resident Karly Tetlow, is a French Basque expression meaning “all things good.” Ona will carry clothing by Cosabella, James Perse, and Nanette Lepore, 2 Chix maternity wear, handbags by Matt & Nat and Dutchy, and giftware from Dogeared Accessories and Dillion Rogers. A percentage of Ona’s September sales will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society in honor of Tetlow’s mother, Susan around town Gene Puskar ♦ Tucked away behind Il Pizzaiolo on Washington Road is a little slice o’wine lover’s heaven: Enotria, an authentic Italian wine bar. Come in and order antipasti or panini off the menu, or enjoy some wood-oven-fired pizza with one of 85 varieties of Italian wine. McConnell, who died from the disease in 1996, when Tetlow was 19. MS Hope bracelets, and MS “ribbons of hope” will also be available at the store. IN VINO VERITAS Enotria (“land of wine”), the wine bar behind Il Pizzaiolo on Washington Road is not exactly brand new—the doors opened in April—but a true Italian wine bar is a concept new to Pittsburgh, says owner Ron Molinaro. “I felt that this is the kind of place I would want to go; I haven’t seen anything like it here.” Enotria, located in a snug little stucco house in the restaurant’s rear, seats 22 at table and about 10 at the bar, and carries 85 different kinds of Italian wines available by the bottle and 20 by the glass. Also on tap at Molinaro’s wine bar are Italian movies with English subtitles—classics like “La Dolce Vita,” “Il Postino,” and “The Bicycle Thief”—playing on a televi- sion screen. Patrons can also browse through books on Italian food, wine and travel. In September, when Il Pizzaiolo back courtyard closes, the wine bar will have its own menu—panini, cheeses, sal- ads and antipasti—though customers can still order from the regular restaurant menu. Those looking for Enotria’s front entrance should follow the signs and slip around the back into Central Way, which is part of the charm of unearthing a perfect little getaway, says Molinaro. “It’s like walking down a nar- row street in Rome or Naples and ducking into a cool little wine bar.” Enotria’s hours are 5 P . M . to midnight weekdays, and 5 P . M . to 2 A . M . on week- ends. FILLING THE VACUUM When Eckerd Drugs moved from its old location in the Lebanon Shops to a new 24-hour store on Cooke Lane, who knew that a diverse, eclectic mix of new shops—most owned by Mt. Lebanon residents—would rush in to fill the space? But that’s what happened in August with the opening of four new businesses: Tea Penny, (www.teapenny.com), a new tea room and retail shop, is owned by Parkway Drive resident Hillary Cahalane, and Parker Drive resident Lesley Chandler (a British citizen) who met when their son and daughter were in kindergarten. “I don’t remember who said it first, but we both wanted to have a tea room some- T O W N T O P I C S p.16 www.mtlebanon.org 15 around ♦ T O P I C S ▼ T O W N town p.15 FINE TABLE LINENS, CERAMICS, QUILTS AND GIFTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Tournesol J CELEBRATING THE WORLD… 632 Washington Road • Mt.Lebanon,PA 15228 www.TournesolGifts.com 412.344.4701 Looking beyond what makes you wealthy to protect what makes life rich. At Mellon, we understand that knowing how to manage your wealth is just the beginning. We also need to know you. Which is so much easier when we’re not only a leader in wealth management across the nation, but we’re also just around the corner. For more information, please contact: Carolyn Kozlowski, South Hills office, at 412-833-6368. Mellon Financial Corporation Institutional Asset Management • Mutual Funds • Private Wealth Management Asset Servicing • Payment Solutions & Investor Services • Treasury Services www.mellon.com © 2005 Mellon Financial Corporation 16 mt. lebanon • september 2005 day,” says Cahalane. Last October, the two moms began planning in earnest. Tea Penny is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday for high tea, with seatings by reservation only at 11 A . M . and 1 P . M . (More seatings are planned as the holidays approach, says Cahalane.) The tea experi- ence is a “three-tier” affair—a salad first, scones with clotted cream second, and desserts at the end. Tea Penny also offers children’s tea parties and private parties, and carries a wide variety of tea accou- trements—tea cozies, pots, loose and bag tea by Harney’s and Metropolitan tea— and elegant finds in their gift shop: home décor items, unique gifts for children, and bath and body products. Next door, Gypsy Lane resident Amy Wilhelm has opened Edible Arrangements, (www.ediblearrangements.com), a franchise featuring gift bouquets made of fresh fruit and other edible gift items, including white and milk chocolate-covered fruit. Prices range from $30-$35 on up. Miami Avenue residents Mike and Jennie Norrell have opened Serendipity Salon and Spa, offering a full slate of salon services and spa treatments including manicures, pedicures, facials and waxing. Former Eckerd pharmacist Dan Asti has opened Asti’s South Hills Pharmacy. Asti, a McMurray resident, will continue to offer the same level of customer service that has earned him a devoted clientele over the past ten years. Still in place are Fi-Del Cleaners and Carbonara’s Restaurant, which will be adding 25 tables and expanding their bar area. Also new to this address is Instant Replay Video, which formerly was located at Lebanon Shops. O N B U S I N E S S Gene Puskar F O C U S Body Effort exercise studio on Beverly Road has had a loyal following for more than 20 years. What’s the secret? Caring and welcoming instructors who put clients first, says owner and instruc- tor Patti Gruden. E xercise crazes come and go— Remember Tae Bo? Sweatin’ to the Oldies? The bowflex machine?— but it’s personal attention that keeps people coming back, says Patti Gruden, fitness instructor and owner of Body Effort, a Beverly Road exercise studio going strong for more than 20 years. Gruden’s focus is to create a friendly, sup- portive atmosphere and encourage a healthy lifestyle with exercise as its corner- stone. Some of Gruden’s students have been coming for years—mother/ daughter pairs, working women, groups of friends, even an 89-year-old woman, who has been a devot- ed patron. A McCully Street resident, Gruden began exercising as a stay-at-home mom, taking Jacki Sorenson aerobics at Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, and got hooked on the dance-based exercise pro- gram. She also got stress fractures in both shins. “It was the era of ‘go for the burn’—no focus on safety,” she says. “My orthopedist told me I had to stop; he’d seen a definite increase in exercise-related injuries in women like me.” With the help of doctors and physical therapists, she created a safer way to exercise while keeping intensity high and impact low. “It’s aerobics, but you don’t have to jump and jog.” Gruden launched Body Effort with an 8 class at the rec center, 24 years ago. Since then, classes have grown to 25 per week at seven locations: Mt. Lebanon, Dormont, West Penn Hospital, Mt. Washington, Green Tree, Pennsbury Village and Upper St. Clair. Gruden, a lithe, youthful 50-something and mother of two grown sons, teaches five of those classes herself; she has 12 instructors who teach about 250 students per week, with an average class size of about 22. As a long-standing business owner and officer of the Beverly Road Business Association, Gruden has seen her neighbor- hood shopping district shift to a patchwork of services and retail shops but with an important distinction—the owners are on the premises and working. “This is really the entrance to Mt. Lebanon. We’re focus- ing now on making it an inviting and pleas- ant place to be—the kind of place you can come and enjoy a cup of coffee.” Body Effort devotees report measurable results, and their doctors are impressed, says Gruden: arthritis symptoms abated, choles- terol dropped. She remains unconcerned about reaching target heart rates—or get- ting her clients into size 6 jeans. “I want people to feel good about them- selves when they leave here. If you feel good inside, it projects on the outside.” A . M . — ANNE CAFFEE www.mtlebanon.org 17 U P D A T E S Renee Rosensteel C O M M U N I T Y On July 4, friends and relatives came to dedicate the Michael “Mick” Bergen memorial gar- den to the memory of the 19-year old recreation department employee who died in an acci- dent in May. Donations helped fund the garden, which was designed by Bergen’s former employer and friend, landscaper Matt Maniet. “Everyone’s kindness and generosity has light- ened our hearts and warmed our souls.” said his mother, Kathy Bergen. IN MICK’S MEMORY A new medita- tion garden near the entrance to the recre- ation center in Mt. Lebanon Park memo- rializes Michael “Mick” Bergen, 19, a Mt. Lebanon employee who died in an acci- dent near Mt. Lebanon pool in May when a utility cart he was riding in flipped over on a concrete walk. Mick, a 2004 graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School, was the son of Kathy and Mike Bergen. He worked as a part-time maintenance employee at Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department with his uncle, Richard Bergen. Kathy Bergen says she wanted the gar- den not only to serve as a memorial for Mick but for it to be “a place for other parents who had lost a child, or for anyone who had lost a loved one, to come and reflect,” says Kathy Bergen. The garden, which was built with the help of many people and businesses was dedicated July 4. People who knew Mick recall him as a friendly, helpful and industrious young man who loved the outdoors, working on cars, shooting pool and the classic rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Guns’n Roses. In addition to working at the rec center, Bergen installed furnaces and air condi- tioners part-time, cut lawns and worked as a salesman’s assistant at Woltz and Wind Ford, taking customers out for test-drives. One rainy day, his mother says, Bergen 18 mt. lebanon • september 2005 took an elderly lady for a test drive in a used car, which she liked but decided she couldn’t afford to purchase. When she got back into her own car, Mick noticed her windshield wipers weren’t working. He told her to stay where she was, went next- door to Wal-Mart, bought her new wipers and installed them for free. “He never told us about this—we only found out recently,” says Kathy, “but his grandmothers would be so happy to know that he took the time to help someone like that.” Right now, coping with their loss is a full-time job for the bereaved family—it’s impossible for them to thank everyone personally who contributed to the Michael E. (Mick) Bergen Memorial Fund, which helped defray funeral expenses, and to the creation of Mick’s memorial garden. But they are very thank- ful for each and every donation: “We don’t even know some of the people,” Kathy says. “They just contributed because it touched their hearts. Everyone’s kindness and generosity has lightened our hearts and warmed our souls. “ To contribute, mail a check to the Michael E. “Mick” Bergen Memorial Fund, Mt. Lebanon Recreation Depart- ment, 900 Cedar Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15228. On Saturday, October 1, bring your cardboard, maga- zines, phone books, paper and junk mail to the Mt. Lebanon public works build- ing on Lindendale Drive for recycling. Containers for the items will be available from 7 A . M . to 7 P . M . The expanded recy- cling program, which began in July, will start up again in April 2006, on the first Saturday of the month. Also at the public works building is a newspaper recycling bin, open around the clock, and behind the newspaper bin is a trailer for aluminum cans, also open any- time. The proceeds from recycling the cans benefit the West Penn Hospital Burn Trauma Center. If you have any questions, or require addi- tional information, please feel free to con- tact Audrey Sohier at 412-343-3859, or asohier@mtlebanon.org. CLOSET CASES We may live in the mil- lennium, but our closets are stuck in the 1940s and ‘50s—too small for our wardrobes, our hobbies, kids’ activities and our paper-towel-and-bathroom-tissue stashes from Sam’s Club. There are plen- ty of organizing tips, tricks and accessories out there, but how do savvy Mt. Lebanon homeowners put them all together to cre- ate a modern closet? Enter the Mt. Lebanon Closet Contest. The contest, co-sponsored by Howard Hanna Realty, Rollier’s Hardware and McKee Organizing Services, should open the door to some great ideas for your soon- to-be-organized storage spaces. Tell in 100 words or less what you love about your Mt. Lebanon closet and submit one or two photos to show it off. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: best use of space, best renovation and best looking. First place winners in each category will win a $250 gift certificate to Rollier’s Hardware. Entry forms may be submitted in person, and are available at Howard Hanna Mt. Lebanon on Washington Road, Rollier’s and online at www.mckee organizingservices.com. Contest judges are Leslie McKee, pro- fessional organizer, of McKee Organizing Services, Amelia Dean, interior designer, of Jaro Interiors, and architect Paul Tellers. For information on the Mt. Lebanon Closet Contest, contact 412-561-7400 or E-mail leslie@mckeeos.com. EXPANDED RECYCLING U P D A T E S p.20 • Seasonal playing times available for 2005-06 winter season • All new bubbles, lighting and heating systems • Har-Tru courts which are easiest on your body PICK UP APPLICATIONS AT MT.LEBANON TENNIS CENTER or call 412.833.4124 or 412.343.3411 THE ROAD IS CALLING…HERE’S YOUR ANSWER CADILLAC CTS… GET BACK WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING 412.344.6000 www.rohrich.com One mile south of the Liberty Tunnels HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR Your home improvements needs are just a phone call away 1-800-837-FINN •1-412-220-9357 www.finn-construction.com WINDOWS • SIDING• PATIO ROOMS • ROOFING ENTRY DOORS • KITCHENS • PATIO DOORS CONVENIENT FINANCING AVAILABLE Buy 5 windows at our regular price—Get 2 windows FREE! Exclusive offer for Mt. Lebanon Magazine readers. Expires 9/30/05 www.mtlebanon.org 19 U P D A T E S Gene Puskar C O M M U N I T Y D E Pasqua Chiropractic Step into the future with the most advanced treatments available. Two non-surgical and highly effective treatments for disc pain, soft tissue injuries, chronic pain, arthritis, and other injuries Dr. John C. DePasqua D.C. MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED 305 Mt. Lebanon Blvd., Suite 100 412-531-4800 • Fax 412-531-7788 3001 West Liberty Avenue 412.571.9001 • FULL PARTY TRAYS AVAILABLE • PICNIC AND TAILGATE BASKETS • EXTENSIVE MEXICAN BEER SELECTION • PITTSBURGH’S LARGEST HOT SAUCE BAR 100% SMOKE-FREE CANTINA favorite hot spot in the South hills 20 mt. lebanon • september 2005 New software and a new price schedule are making the golf course more profitable this sea- son. The changes are two of several suggested by a committee appointed last year to find ways of streamlining play and making the 98-year-old course run more efficiently. ▼ Laser Technology & Disc Compression Therapy p.19 GOLF A new $10,000 software system installed at Mt. Lebanon Golf Course has enhanced financial reporting and provides better tracking of who plays the course when and how often—important informa- tion if the recreation department is to achieve its goal of marketing the course bet- ter and increasing revenue. The recreation department purchased the software as the result of recommendations from an ad hoc marketing committee con- vened by the municipal commission in 2004 to study how the golf course might become more cost efficient. A customer sat- isfaction survey of golfers confirmed that the majority of players desired improve- ments to both the course and the club- house. Several big-ticket items recommended by the marketing committee had to be post- poned because of budget constraints, but a number of small-scale improvements are boosting this season’s play and revenue, according to Recreation Director Bill Moore. One of the improvements—the elimination of season permits—didn’t cost a dime, although it did draw some criticism from frequent golfers. Last year, a season permit for unlimited play cost about $500, depending on the age of the player. This year, instead of a season pass golfers could purchase 100 rounds for $850. The change boosted the cost of play for some, but it is still a bargain, as Moore points out, because a single round of golf costs $11 on weekdays and $12 on week- ends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). “Now everyone who plays golf at our course pays at least $8.50 per round, where- as last year some golfers were paying as little as $4 a round,” says Moore. “For a golfer who plays 200 rounds, the old pass was a deal, but we were taking too much of a hit, which we cannot afford.” With the goal of boosting play, the course also extended the times when seniors and junior golfers can play at discounted rates and eliminated the $3 surcharge for non- residents. The municipality is working to secure financing for a $400,000 upgrade to the irrigation system and hopes to begin that project this year. The antiquated system now in place irrigates only the fairways and greens—and in a dry season like this one, the rough is bare, meaning that “if you don’t hit the ball straight, it’s likely to end up somewhere in Castle Shannon,” Moore says. “And that doesn’t encourage golfers to return, and that hurts revenue.” Another ad hoc committee recommen- dation that Moore hopes to implement in the next year or so is new tee boxes that U P D A T E S p.22 W E U N D E R S T A N D T H E D I F F E R E N C E B E T W E E N I N S U R I N G A H O U S E A N D A H O M E . Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s a valuable asset that shelters you and your valued posses- sions. As your insurance advisor, we know you need an insurance compa- ny that understands the way you live. With more than 115 years of experience, a well-earned reputation for prompt and fair claim settlements, and special expertise in insuring fine homes and their contents, we know Chubb is as different from other insurance companies as a home is from a house. To see how we can create a personal insurance program from Chubb to meet your sophisti- cated needs, please call us. Executive Commons, 110 Roessler Road, Suite 200C Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Phone: 412-563-7828 • Fax: 412-563-7833 www.alcornchristie.com C OV E R A G E B E Y O N D Y O U R E X P E C TAT I O N S Chubb refers to the insurers of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued. Chubb, Box 1615, Warren, NJ 07061-1615. www.mtlebanon.org 21 Renee Rosensteel U P D A T E S Pryzborski Productions came to Mt. Lebanon in July to film a Galliker’s Dairy commercial, planned for Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. For every gal- lon sold of their pink-tinted milk jugs, Galliker’s will make a donation to breast cancer research. Pumping for the camera near Parker and Overlook drives is Ina Block, Hillaire Drive; Brad Wucker of James Sushi Bar • Teriyaki • Tofu Hot Pots Tempura • Lo Mein • Orange Chicken Full Bar SUSHI PARTY TRAYS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OCCASIONS (We now serve brown rice) 299 Beverly Road Mt. Lebanon 412-344-7874 22 mt. lebanon • september 2005 FREE DELIVERY • TAKEOUT Mon.- Thurs. 11:30-3 & 5-10 Fri. 11:30-3 & 5-11, Sat. 11:30-11, Sun. 12:30-9 Communications, Galliker’s ad agency, assists director Glenn Pryzborski. ▼ SERVING AUTHENTIC JAPANESE CUISINE & SOME CHINESE DISHES Freshest fish in Pittsburgh p.20 would position less able golfers closer to the hole, allowing people of all abilities to play the course successfully. Cost of the new tee boxes would be about $35,000. “The idea is to score well and have fun,” says Moore. Golfers surveyed also said they wanted faster play—a universal demand that some courses achieve with the help of a ranger who rides around the course and keeps play moving. That’s a low priority for now, Moore says, because it is an expenditure that would not produce immediate results. “It could take three years to see a difference,” he says. For schedules, rates and other informa- tion about the golf course, go to www.mtlebanon.org, click on Recreation, and click on Golf Course. Renee Rosensteel Love history? Then, why not join the Historical Society of Mt. Lebanon or volunteer for the Mt. Lebanon Historic Preservation Board’s cultural resource survey, a three-year program funded in part by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission that will document historically sig- nificant properties throughout the community. Pictured recruiting “historians” at Mt. Lebanon Park on July 4 are Wallace Workmaster, left, past chair of both the society and the board and Dan Gigler, the board’s current chair. To join the historical society, contact Workmaster at 412-278-2272 or wfwork@adelphia.net. To volunteer for the survey, contact the Public Information Office, 412-343- 3780, smorgans@mtlebanon.org. HISTORY MYSTERY Who knows what mysteries lie undiscovered about Mt. Lebanon homes? Did anyone famous ever reside in one? Did any contain a steel-forti- fied fallout shelter? Were any designed with unusual materials—or by a well-known architect? If you’re a history buff with time to spare, Mt. Lebanon’s cultural resource survey, now entering its third phase, is look- ing for volunteers to help document all Mt. Lebanon properties more than 50 years old. Each of the survey’s three phases is funded by a $15,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museums Commission and $8,000 and $7,000 in in-kind from Mt. Lebanon. Coordinator for the project is his- toric preservation consultant Eliza Brown of Brown Carlisle Associates. About 20 volunteers have completed data entry on phase one, which included the Lincoln and Washington Elementary neighborhoods. Field work on phase two—focusing on the Howe and Mark-ham neighborhoods—is nearly complete, and funding for phase three, covering the remainder of the com- munity, is expected soon. Volunteers can choose from a variety of tasks, from search- ing through old municipal permits and documents for building information, walk- ing through neighborhoods taking photo- graphs and recording data about a house’s style and architectural features, interviewing residents eager to share anecdotal informa- tion about their homes, or entering infor- mation into a database. Anyone with an interest in history or architecture is wel- come. Photography and computer skills are helpful, but not necessary, and training is provided. If you would like to become a survey volunteer, contact Susan Morgans, staff liaison to the historic preservation board at 412-343-3780 or via e-mail: smor- gans@mtlebanon.org. HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS Have a holiday event you would like us to mention in our Holiday Calendar? E-mail mjackson@ mtlebanon.org, or send a note to 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA, 15228 with the details, before Sept. 15 for inclu- sion in our November issue…Want to show off your house for a good cause? Howard Hanna is looking for some show- places for its annual Holiday House Tour and Luncheon, Wednesday, Dec. 14. Proceeds benefit Children’s Hospital. Call 412-561-7400, or 412-343-6563. C O M M U N I T Y U P D A T E S Amelia Paré, M.D. BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON SPECIALIZING IN: BREAST SURGERY • NOSE SURGERY FACELIFT SURGERY • LIPOSUCTION ABDOMINOPLASTY • EYELID SURGERY SUMMERFIELD COMMONS Suite 1121 • 2535 Washington Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Pittsburghplasticsurgery.net Amypare.com 412.831.2554 www.mtlebanon.org 23 SIDE by SIDE Bird feeders can be an invita- tion to cardinals, bluejays and gold finches…or rats. Rats love bird seed and can even climb poles to get it. But with a little bit of effort, you can keep the rats at bay while keeping the birds happy and well fed. THIS NEW OCCASIONAL FEATURE OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO RESOLVE SMALL PROBLEMS THAT CAN BECOME BIG ISSUES AMONG NEIGHBORS. Y ou’re sitting on the back deck enjoying a glass of orange juice and the Sunday paper when you see a big, hairy, ugly rat scurrying around your neighbor’s yard. As you watch, the creature scuttles over to the birdfeeder and starts eating seed off the ground. Ugh. But it’s probably only one, right? “Rats are generally nocturnal,” says Mt. Lebanon Chief Inspector Joe Berkley. “If you see them during day, you have a real problem.” OK, so now what? It’s the neighbor’s feeder, after all. “If you see rats in your neighbor’s yard, the best thing to do is to speak to your neighbors and make them aware of the problem,” says Rudy Sukal, superintendent of public works. Rats desire shelter, water and food. Shelter can be obtained under a deck or in the foundation of a house or garage. Dripping taps, backyard ponds or the dog’s water bowl can provide water. Food can be foraged from birdseed, a ripped garbage bag, dog or cat food, animal feces, garden vegetables or fruit that falls from trees. “Anyone can have rats,” says Berkley. If you notice a problem in your yard—or if a neighbor does not respond to your rat alert—call Mt. Lebanon Public Works at 412-343-3403. A technician, certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Agricul- ture, will come out to check the situation. If the technician finds a problem, he will give the homeowner information about how to 24 mt. lebanon • september 2005 make the property less attractive to rats. “We can’t force anyone to remove their bird feeders,” says Sukal, “but we will give advice. About 50 percent of the time [the rats are attracted to a] food source, and it’s bird food.” Knox Brown, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, suggests: • Don’t put or leave birdseed (or other food) on the ground. • Use feed without fillers (which birds just knock to the ground). • Stop feeding the birds if you notice rats. • If you use sunflower seed, sweep or rake up the shells once a week. • Use a tray feeder with two-inch deep sides and put trays under all feeders to catch dropped seeds. • Install baffles on pole feeders to keep squirrels and rats from crawling into the feeder. • Store seed in metal garbage cans because squirrels and rats can chew through even heavy plastic. If necessary, public works will put rat bait in sanitary sewers near a house, and the technician will return once or twice weekly for updates. If you would like to have rat poison placed on your property you must sign a waiver, and while public works crews will not treat inside houses, they will give you advice on how to keep rodents out of your house. For an interior problem, you will have to call an exterminator. Sukal says the public works department’s approach is “proactive” in that they regularly go to areas where there have been problems and will monitor the spot for several weeks. With a little extra effort, you can be a good neighbor to both the birds and those who live around you. www.mtlebanon.org 25 Renee Rosensteel REACHING OUT—TO TEENS Diane Snyder is the executive director of Outreach Teen & Family Services and a ther- apist who has worked with teens for 15 years. If you, or anyone you know, would like to talk confidentially with a professional, Outreach offers Mt. Lebanon teens two free one-hour sessions (additional sessions are $5 each). Call Outreach at 412-561-5405. I GLASSES • EXAMS • CONTACTS PARTICIPATING PROVIDER SECURITY BLUE (DAVIS VISION) & MANY OTHERS Designer & Value Frames Progressive “noline” bifocals $109 00 Includes UV filter and scratch cote n/a with insurance 412.344.3930 Across from Mt. Lebanon Cemetery 26 mt. lebanon • september 2005 t’s that time of the year again! Back to seem scary. There’s also anxiety about the school. Alarm clocks. Waking up much increased pressure to perform: “Middle too early. Awake and alert in class at 8 school was no big deal, but high school A . M .? You gotta be kidding? What hap- grades really count.” pened to sleeping in, hanging out at the We all worry about things. Change is pool, watching movies and chatting online hard for most people. One of the most for hours? Suddenly it’s time to pay atten- interesting and often frustrating things tion, focus the brain, do HOMEWORK! about being human is that everyone strug- Heading back to school is tough for many gles with many of the same issues and students. emotions, but we often assume we are the School brings with it many challenges. only ones who feel the way we do. We Fall can be difficult—particularly if you’re look at our peers and think, “Wow. a student making They have it all the transition from together. How elementary to mid- come they don’t get f you’re a teenager, dle school, or from scared the way I middle school to please read this!! do?” high school. You Well, don’t buy it! face a new set of They do get scared. expectations from teachers. You may We all get scared. We all worry. We all feel worry about finding your way around in a insecure at times. We have all been hurt larger building, getting organized, keeping and are afraid to get hurt again. These are track of assignments, and fitting in with normal human emotions. Deep inside, we other kids. share more feelings than we realize. Middle school can be the first time you Going back to school means different begin to feel you’re not a little kid any- things to different people. It may bring more. The changes in routine can be some fear and anxiety. It may bring excite- unsettling. You may miss the safety and ment and new challenges. It may be hard security you felt in elementary schools. to get back into the routine after so much Students entering middle school often tell time off. It may mean seeing your friends me how hard it is to get along with the again. Or, going back to school may mean other kids. I often hear, “The other kids “all the above.” Whatever going back to are mean, or obnoxious.” school means to you, I guarantee that Every year, students also tell me how someone else feels the same way. I guaran- worried they are about going to high tee that you are not alone. school. One of the first things they say is, —DIANE SNYDER “I’m afraid I’ll get lost.” I tell them that they probably will at first. Most students do—I did. I also hear “Who am I going to eat lunch with?” Or complaints that “My best friend isn’t in any of my classes.” If you’re entering high school, the future may feel real for the first time—and it may I n Your Body. Your Health. Your Goals. At Jon Vecchio’s Personal Training Studio, we tailor your fitness program around what you want to accomplish. 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Insurance ◆ Investments www.mtlebanon.org 27 around ♦ P U B L I C town S A F E T Y DISASTER DRILL Sunset Hills residents should not be alarmed by all the activity at the Baptist Homes on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Starting at 5 A . M ., the Castle Shannon Boulevard nursing home will be the scene of a full-scale disaster train- ing drill that will include representatives from the Red Cross, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, Medical Rescue Team South and, of course, the Baptist Homes. The goal of the daylong event will be to transport 50 to 100 residents of the home to temporary quarters (probably an area church) as if they were evacuating the home because of a torna- do or other disaster. “The Red Cross wants to get their teams out and to feed 100 people off site,” says fire department Platoon Chief Tim Brown. The exercise involves set- ting up cots and gathering information about medicine, health concerns, next of O n Tuesday, Sept. 27, the Baptist Homes on Castle Shannon Boulevard will be will be the scene of a full-scale disaster training drill. kin and other issues that would be brought up if a tornado or hurricane— like 2004’s Ivan—had forced a real evac- uation. “Tabletop exercises are nice,” Brown says. “But when you actually move peo- ple you have to go through with it—you don’t just take a note that you were 30 meals short; you have to find those extra 30 meals.” The fire department will set up a mobile command post at Baptist Homes, and fire and police personnel will staff an emergency medical center. A scenario will be played out from the first report of the disaster (probably a torna- do) through to cleanup. 28 mt. lebanon • september 2005 around ♦ P U B L I C town S A F E T Y The No. 1 traffic complaint Mt. Lebanon police are hearing this year is about speeding in residential neighborhoods, says Police Chief Tom Ogden. In response, officers set up in Mission Hills—one of the neighborhoods with the most com- plaints—and for one week conducted a “zero tolerance” campaign against traffic violators. At the end of the week, during which drivers had been stopped for any infrac- tion ranging from speeding to not stop- ping fully at a stop sign, police officers had written 37 citations. Thirty-two of the tickets went to residents of the area. Ogden was not surprised by the report. In almost every local traffic study of speeding on residential streets, more than 75 percent of the violators are resi- dents. Because they know the area well, residents are comfortable driving faster or gliding through stop signs. When there is a complaint about speeding or careless driving in a neigh- borhood, the police department’s traffic unit will monitor the area, either with a patrol car equipped with a speed timer, or erecting either an electronic speed dis- play sign or speed strips across the road that measure the speed and weight of every vehicle that passes. “We take each complaint very serious- ly and we do every thing we can to address the problem,” says Ogden. Ogden asks residents to do their part—to slow down, stop for pedestri- ans, pay attention (maybe put down the cell phone?) and come to a complete stop at stop signs. Mt. Lebanon police officers issue 4,000 to 5,000 tickets per year. Don’t be a recipient. RESIDENTIAL STREET PATROL E v e r y t h i n g t o M a k e Y o u r H o u s e a H o m e TM NEXT MONTH NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING J a r o I n t e r i o r s , I n c. 412-561-5454 3734 Poplar Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15234 (Off Castle Shannon Boulevard, Near Rt.88) CITIZEN FOR “THIS TOWN…” www.mtlebanon.org 29 C O M M I S S I O N E R S ’ R E P O R T The Commissioners’ Report is a series by members of the Mt. Lebanon Commission. In this installment, Commissioner Keith Mulvihill assesses the reassessment process. REASSESSING O KEITH MULVIHILL Ward 5 Commissioner DOSSIER • 917 Summer Place 412-571-1183 kmulvihill@mtlebanon.org • Spouse, Donna • Two school-age children • Indiana University (B.A. 1978); University of Pittsburgh School of Law Nothing Better. (J.D. 1981) • Resident partner, Rawle & Henderson • Volunteer coach, Mt. Lebanon Recreation Basketball; Lector, St. Signature Service Bernard Parish; CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter), Public Eclectic Dining Experience New American Cuisine Relations chair of the Allegheny Chapter of the CPCU Society • Member of the board of directors for International Flair serving lunch and dinner, Monday–Saturday Intimate ers n Wine Din y Saturda Every 1st e month of th r ll fo Please ca ns reservatio 1-79 at Southpointe Exit 48 1000 Corporate Drive Canonsburg adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe phone 724.743.5005 www.experiencejacksons.com 30 mt. lebanon • september 2005 Medical Rescue Team South Authority ne of the lessons of our most recent national election would seem to be that voters like leaders who do not change positions on issues. However, even the most fervent advocate of con- sistency would likely agree that it would be a mistake to say that public officials should never, under any circumstances, change their positions. When circum- stances change, public officials need to be willing to reassess whether a prior decision or policy still makes sense. Likewise, if the results of a policy or deci- sion do not turn out as expected, it would be foolish not to at least consider changing course. Property taxes are the largest source of municipal revenue, and they represent about 70 percent of the school district’s general funds revenues. In 2004, 28 per- cent of the municipality’s revenue came from property taxes, and that percentage is not likely to change significantly in the near future. As a result, having a fair and reasonably accurate system of property assessment, which is the foundation for a fair property tax, is especially impor- tant for municipal government. Unfortunately, one of the illogical aspects of our system is that the govern- ment entities that are compelled to rely most heavily on property taxes for rev- enue (municipalities and school dis- tricts) have almost no control over the system. No matter how mismanaged the assessment system is, there is virtually nothing local governments can do about it. The Mt. Lebanon Commission has regularly looked for ways to encourage the county to correct the most obvious problems and to make the system more fair, accurate and transparent. Often the county listens to our suggestions, but if it does not, there’s nothing Mt. Lebanon can do about it. The commission (like the taxpayers) is frustrated that despite If you are thinking about buying or selling your home, I’m not that far from the phone. three countywide reassessments in the last six years, almost continual court oversight of the process and substantial spending on assessments, both the per- ception and reality seems to be that the assessments remain seriously flawed. One of the only avenues available to the municipality to try to remedy inac- curate assessments is by filing appeals of what appear to be obviously incorrect assessments. Beginning in 2002, Mt. Lebanon filed appeals of properties that appeared to be obviously and substan- tially underassessed. The major criteria used has been if the assessment on an individual property was less than 85 per- cent of its recent sales price. This policy makes sense as a matter of fairness for the reason stated above, which is why I sup- ported filing the appeals. On another level, however, the policy is less fair. In years in which there is no countywide reassessment, the policy of filing appeals based on recent sales prices has the effect of singling out one class of homeowners (recent buyers) for reassess- ments. Although it is hard to make a case that it is really unfair to have your prop- erty assessed at or near what you recent- ly paid for it and I supported the policy in the past, there is unfairness in having your property reassessed while your neighbor’s is not. Consequently, going forward I believe we need to reconsider whether it makes sense to file appeals based on recent sales in years in which no other properties are being reassessed. Of course, the best solution for these problems would be for the county to put in place a fair, accurate and transparent reassessment system so that everyone pays their fair share. Cell phone 412-680-5000 Office 412-833-7700 x283 L IFELONG M T . LEBANON RESIDENT AND LONGTIME M T . L EBANON REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL L YNN G EYER B ANBURY “Celebrating 23 years in real estate!” 1679 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228 If you have any questions on this topic or any other municipal matter, please contact your ward commissioner. Letters to the editor also are wel- come and may be excerpted in Mt. Lebanon magazine, 710 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228; e-mail: lebomag@mtlebanon.org; fax: 412-343-7841. www.mtlebanon.org 31 FALL FIX-UP G U I D E 32 mt. lebanon • september 2005 FALL FIX-UP G U I D E Get up to $100 back and enter to win $5000 to complete your dream space. DreamSpace * Rebate good with purchase of Pergo Vintage Home or Vintage Home Traditional Strip and Pergo Select. $50 rebate with purchases of 200-349 sq. ft. $100 rebate with purchases of 350 sq. ft. or more. No purchase necessary to enter $5,000 Dream Space giveaway. 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Despite our region’s hilliness and the many occasions where both front and back yards comprise ascents of varying degrees to reach the house, we seem to be stymied when it comes to employing gardens in these spaces. Often conceding we have no better idea, we roll out the turf. In fairness, I can’t be objective about grass. It’s not my favorite. Sometimes it works, I suppose. But some of the most gorgeous gar- dens attain their singular charm through their topography. It’s a shame to squander a slope’s abundant prospects on grass. Changes in elevation whether small or great open the door for so many inter- esting design opportunities including winding paths, steps or stairs beckoning to be trod upon, and perhaps the juciest retaining walls, especially ones of brick or stone. I have an affinity for steps and walls of stone, especially when swathed with lush plantings that play off the austerity that stone exudes. Campanula poschar-skyana is a delicate, prostrate trailer of the species with languid tendencies. It softly spills over a wall or M 42 mt. lebanon • september 2005 drapes its environment in a rock low growing it more resembles moss than garden where its clear blue, star- the culinary cousin we know and grow so shaped flowers are well contrast- often, adapts well to the lean, dry, screed- ed. Of more substance but soft in like habitat Alpines crave. Such an envi- the rock garden or cascading ronment is easily replicated with the right down the vertical, and evergreen exposure, and amendments of sand and besides, Juniperus procumbens gravel. Innumerable species from conifers ‘Nana’ has a velvety prostrate to herbaceous plants and even narcissus habit and spreads to nearly six include dwarf varieties that tolerate such feet but barely reaches a foot in conditions and make a final selection dif- height. ficult. There are bound to be regrettable Rock gardens yield dramatic rejections. effect with the many flowering Although expensive because of the grad- perennials that appreciate dry ing involved, terracing a slope affords a feet. Yarrow, red velarian, heaths series of level areas joined by steps and/or Some of the most gorgeous gardens attain their singular and heathers, daylilies and even retaining walls—another entrée for hard- tulips fit the bill. One complaint charm through their topography. Changes in elevation scaping with brick or stone. Terracing about rock gardens: the tenden- open the door for design opportunities such as steps, makes the land more usable especially cy to “set” the rocks on the site. winding paths and terracing. when planted out in turf, but it also Take a cue from nature and how affirms the horizontal, adding definition rocks appear in an outcropping. Like icebergs, most of the mass is and thus strengthening the design. Above all there is an elegance buried. A natural appearance is best replicated by digging in the to a terraced landscape, perhaps because of the sweeping, broad rocks so only a third or so appears above ground. Including flat effect. stones in strategic places affords welcome standing spots to facilitate There will never be a dearth of places to use all the wonderful weeding and other maintenance. plant combinations and design treatments that are at their best Of course, slopes don’t have to be dramatic to hold allure. The in a hilly situation. Once established, grass still contributes value small section of yard by the driveway that drops away to create a in retaining soil and I suppose one can, in the end, make a case gentle bank often causes consternation but also opportunity. If for grass. A simple test helps discern if sod is a suitable solution: unshaded and south or west facing, such a site wreaks double jeop- if people are timid about walking a hilly area and tend to cir- ardy: exposure to brutal sun and tendency for water to drain away cumvent it, then it’s probably not appropriate for lawn. quickly. These can be especially arid, parched places. I have such a Regardless, given a choice, I choose the garden solution every space, though small, where I plan to try some of the intriguing time. dwarf Alpines, often the subjects of Japanese Bonsai container Janice Seigle is a master gardener. compositions. Thymus praecox, a member of the thyme clan so www.mtlebanon.org 43 BY MERLE JANTZ PHOTOS BY RENEE ROSENSTEEL Public works employee Matt Kasper assists with surveying Mt. Lebanon’s newly acquired park space off McNeilly Road. INside the DPW PUBLIC WORKS DOES ALL THE HEAVY LIFTING, BUT THEY’RE MORE THAN JUST MUSCLE. ith an annual operating budget of close to $6 million and another $3 million or so worth of capital improvements, the public works department requires almost a fifth of Mt. Lebanon’s funds. Like the infrastructure that it serves, the DPW often doesn’t attract attention unless something goes wrong. What does public works do? A better question might be, what don’t they do? This is what they do do. Twenty-two employees are responsible for clearing and main- taining more than 160 miles of roads, and underground, about 220 miles of sanitary and storm sewer lines. Any dab of official paint on a Mt. Lebanon street or sidewalk was put there by public works. A three-man tree crew looks out for the municipality’s 10,000 or so street trees, which are shipped in and then nurtured year-round at the nursery in the public works compound on Lindendale Drive. The crew plants and removes about 200 trees a year. If you see a rat? Call public works, and they’ll send someone out with rat bait. The department cuts the grass, shovels the snow and takes out the trash on municipal property—all the things you can’t get your kids to do around the house. The department also maintains Mt. Lebanon’s municipal public buildings, although custodial services, elevator and HVAC main- tenance are contracted out. DPW maintains all municipal vehicles, including 11 fire vehi- W 44 mt. lebanon • september 2005 cles, 30 police cars and 39 public works vehicles, including salt trucks, high-lifts, pickup trucks and cars. It keeps the tractors, leaf vacuums and other specialized machines in good shape and runs the municipal gas station. DPW maintains, either directly or though a maintenance con- tract, all the traffic signals. So if you’re outside, pretty much every- where you look, you will find a piece of the Mt. Lebanon’s Public Works Department’s handiwork. Although trash and recycling are contracted out to BFI, the department responds to about 120 calls a month from residents with questions or problems about trash pickup, in addition to the many other calls on a wide variety of subjects. After rainstorms, the department often provides above-and- beyond service, such as in the course of making sure the roads are passable, removing blown-down brush and trees from private property whenever possible. In winter, the focus shifts to snow and ice. The department has the ability in snow emergencies to run nine plows around the clock, with the work divided into two 12-hour shifts, providing round-the-clock snow coverage, with three trucks for the main roads and six smaller trucks for residential neighborhoods. What does it take to work here? “We look for people with a pretty broad background,” says Public Works Director Tom Kelley. Each public works employee must have a commercial driver’s license, if not upon hire, then sometime in the first year of employment. Many of the laborers have a trade specialty, such as carpentry or plumbing. With the exception of the department’s two mechanics, Tom Seiler and Paul Matter, everyone is cross-trained in a number of subspecialties. Mt. Lebanon Public Works department is responsible for maintaining traffic signals. Electrician Jason Stickley takes care of 41 municipal traffic signals and a few more for the school district. www.mtlebanon.org 4 5 Clockwise: Mt. Lebanon spends $95,000 a year painting lines on streets. Most painting take place in the summer with the help of a part-time college crew. A few of the crew: (Front) Fred “Brown, sign/line painter; Rich Arbes, foreman; Tom Seiler,mechan- ic; Charlie Wehrum, facilities maintenance, and Rudy Sukal, superintendent. (Back) Ray Bichler, facilities maintenance; Dale Schweglers, forester, and Jason Stickley, electrician. Director Tom Kelley, with Sukal, coordinates the public works effort. Proactive work on Mt. Lebanon’s 200-plus miles of sewer lines has cut down on emergencies. A three-man seasonal crew helps with leaf collection in the fall. Public works employees are cross-trained. Facilities maintenance supervisor Charlie Wehrum also is a master plumber and a certified playground inspector. “The mechanics stick to what they do,” says Kelley. “It’s a pretty big job, but last winter we had 100 percent readiness during snow and ice season.” Seiler has been Mt. Lebanon’s mechanic for more than 30 years, and Matter has been with the department for 20. They have learned over the years that the best way to keep on top of things is to stay one sea- son ahead of the calendar, so in July they were gearing up for leaf season, making sure the vacuum trucks were in shape. By the time those trucks are on the road, Seiler and Matter will be tuning up the salt trucks for 46 mt. lebanon • september 2005 the long winter snow and ice season. Foreman Rich Arbes was hired as a brick- layer, but has evolved into the department’s Pennsylvania One Call, the guy who does most of the work underground. He has been with Mt. Lebanon since 1987. Pennsylvania One Call System is a com- munication network that processes line location requests from contractors and homeowners who want to do excavation projects. It’s a clearinghouse that maintains lists of all underground lines in the area, and when someone calls the service, Pennsyl- vania One Call will alert any organization with underground lines in the affected area. When a request from Pennsylvania One Call comes to the municipality, the public works department has three working days to make sure the sewer lines are marked with green paint above where the lines are. With more than a decade’s experience with Mt. Lebanon’s underground, Arbes says he is now at the point where “I can walk behind people’s houses and know where the manholes are.” While he finds the one-call task interest- ing, he doesn’t like the time it takes him away from other things. Like many of the laborers and foremen, he likes his work as much for its variety as anything else. As part of his sewer-crew work, Arbes is on 24-hour call for sewer emergencies. Because of all the work the municipality has done on the sewers over the years—dye testing, root control, and proactive mainte- nance—Arbes says his overtime pay has gone way down. “It used to be, we’d get called out every time there was a big storm, there would be so many sewer problems. Now if I get called out 10 times a year it’s a miracle.” FROM PLUMBING TO PLAYGROUNDS THE FOREST FOR THE TREES SENDING THE RIGHT SIGNAL Mt. Lebanon has had its own forestry crew since 1998. For a number of years before that, contractors Davey Tree did all of Mt. Lebanon’s tree work. Former Public Works Director Mike Rudman, who started out with Mt. Lebanon as a forester, decided that bringing the work in-house would be more cost-effective. Forestry supervisor Dale Schweglers runs a crew of two, Thad Siarkowski and David Marchlewski. In the winter months, the forestry crew removes hazardous and diseased trees and will try to replace every tree it takes down the following fall. There is no charge to the homeowner when an existing street tree is replaced. Also, winter is the only time to trim oak trees without injuring them. The crew is busy with tree-trimming requests through the spring and summer, and planting season is in the fall. All year, the forestry crew monitors the health of the trees, and also makes sure that limbs are not a traffic or safety hazards. Many of the requests for inspection come from residents who are concerned about trees in their neighborhoods. Fred Brown is responsible for all the sign and pavement marking work in Mt. Lebanon. If a sign is damaged, Brown will usually replace it within 24 hours. When he is not painting, Brown is out on the road, inspecting his handiwork, making sure the metal signposts are in good condition, sur- veying places where curb and street paint is starting to fade and is due for a touch-up. In addition to making and maintaining all the municipality’s signs, Brown and his crew of part-time summer employees are responsible for painting Mt. Lebanon’s four miles of double yellow street lines, half-mile of single white street lines, 100 crosswalks, directional arrows and two miles of curbs, as well as the library and municipal parking lots. Summer painting season begins about the middle of May and continues on through September. Workers use a couple thousand gallons of paint each year for painting all of Mt. Lebanon’s roads except for Connor, Gilkeson and Washington roads, which are done by the state. Charlie Wehrum is a facilities mainte- nance supervisor. “A few of us have that title,” he says. “We each have our own trade”—Wehrum is a licensed master plumber—“but if there’s something we can handle, we’ll do it.” Wehrum often works with Ray Bichler, another facilities maintenance supervisor and a carpenter, on tasks related to the buildings. He did repairs on the municipal building’s aged heating and air condition- ing system before last year’s renovation. Now he and Wehrum work on the munic- ipal building, and the public safety center is contracted out. Wehrum has been with the public works department since 1985, when he heard about an opening from former Mt. Lebanon Fire Chief Steve Walther. Wehrum has been a Mt. Lebanon volun- teer firefighter since 1977, certified as a fire- fighter, an instructor and a hazardous mate- rials technician, and has taught subjects such as structural firefighting, hazardous material handling, and proper wear of breathing apparatus. As further proof that a public works employee’s life is anything but routine, Wehrum has grown from a plumber into a snowplow driver, a substitute carpenter and HVAC technician, and also an inspector of playground equipment. Although he has been tightening bolts and replacing rusty chains for about 10 or 15 years now, it’s just this year that Wehrum completed the class that led to his certifica- tion as a playground inspector. “It’s something that (former public works director) Mike Rudman got me into doing, because I have a lot of tools in my truck. It’s nice, it gets me out on the road,” he says. The inspector course dealt with subjects such as pinch points (how close pieces of equipment can be to each other without causing a safety hazard), types of surfaces, and fall protection. While public works employees are drawn from a broad background, and over the years expand their repertoire to include a variety of skills and talents, perhaps Wehrum best sums up the characteristic that they have in common. “I like to take stuff that’s broken and fix it.” www.mtlebanon.org 4 7 BY SUSAN FLEMING MORGANS PHOTOS BY RENEE ROSENSTEEL A new musical will benefit Pittsburgh Action Against Rape. The black ribbon on the agency’s front door symbolizes the anticipated loss of $340,000 in Victims of Crime Fund (VOCA) dollars. Voices Carry ext time you’re in church…or at your child’s soccer game…or at the movies, look around. Someone—probably more than one person in the group— is a victim of sexual abuse. Stats show that one in four girls is sexually abused before she turns 18. A visit to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (PAAR) on Pittsburgh’s South Side reveals the sad truth that many of those who receive counseling in the aftermath of sexual abuse are very young children. Some are men. Maybe the person who has been abused is you, or your daugh- ter or your best friend. If so, you probably already know that vic- tims spend their lifetimes as survivors. If not, “Voices Carry,” a new musical written by two Mt. Lebanon women, will help you understand how sexual abuse remains an indelible part of a sur- vivor’s identity, no matter how strong she is, no matter how much she accomplishes. Dawn Moeller of Parkside Avenue, a mother and wife, musi- cian and Ph.D. clinical psychologist who works in California University of Pennsylvania’s counseling center, was the driving force behind the musical. It will be presented Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 P . M . at the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theatre. Moeller is involved with CU’s Peace Project, which provides awareness and prevention of sexual abuse, relationship violence and stalking. “I also see my share of rape victims or people who were abused as children,” she says, “I see the disassociation, flash- backs, trouble sleeping and medical problems.” Moeller wrote the play’s original songs sitting at the piano in her home. She didn’t start out to write a musical, but, “My songs all N 48 mt. lebanon • september 2005 tended to be around the theme of sexual abuse,” she says, “and I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be nice if they could have some dramatic play?’” Having worked closely with PAAR over the years, Moeller knew that the nonprofit agency faces a loss of $100,000 in gov- ernment contracts this year and could lose $340,000—18 per- cent of its budget— in 2006, if Congress eliminates the Victims of Crime Acts Fund (VOCA) as proposed by the federal budget. “I wanted to do the play to benefit Pittsburgh Action Against Rape,” she says. Moeller had a vague idea of character and plot in mind, “But I could not decide how to do the story,” she says. “Who is this woman? What is her life like? What scenario will we place her in?” She needed a scriptwriter to tie her songs together in a plot that brings to life a character who lives with the “permanent emo- tional shock of sexual abuse but also is an accomplished, strong, realized woman. “I wanted to show that the two are not mutually exclusive,” Moeller says—“that you could have this background that is incredibly horrible and have a very empowered lifestyle in your present. And yet still have times when you fall back because something hits a nerve.” Her busy friend and Sunset Hills neighbor Christina Radzilowicz agreed to write the script. ”I had what therapists call an ‘Aha experience’,” says Moeller. “I knew Christina was a pow- erful writer. I was 90 percent sure she would say, ‘No, I’m too busy, but she said, ‘Let me give it a try.’” Radzilowicz has a master’s degree in psychology but is current- ly a stay-at-home mom and fiction writer. She spent a year with The “Voices Carry” collaborators: (front) Nadina Bembic, keyboard; Michele Wilson, actress; (back) Dawn Moeller, songwriter; Jennifer Morris, lead actress, and Christina Radzilowicz, playwright. ➤ www.mtlebanon.org 4 9 Under the leadership of Executive Director B. J. Horn, PAAR’s staff provides education, cri- sis intervention, therapy and support groups for men, women and children. Volunteers assist in many ways. Those who complete a 40-hour training course may work on the 24- hour hotline (1-800-363-7273) or serve as emergency medical advocates. To volunteer, call 412-431-5665 or log onto www.paar.net. Americorps working in New Hampshire at a safe house for women survivors of domestic violence. She also worked with rape victims while in New Hampshire, and in Pittsburgh has worked with Mercy Behavioral Health’s emergency response team. Turning such an unsavory subject into a musical was a challenge, but the pair was on the same page. “We were both inter- ested in making sure the play was set in a way that it would be accessible—that it wouldn’t cause people to fall into the aver- sion that is so natural,” Radzilowicz says. “And yet we didn’t want to sugarcoat the issues. “It’s intended for a general audience, but in the audience will be survivors or people once removed. Hopefully the play will give them a window into what survivors experience.” The one-act play, which took about a year to complete, has two characters, 50 mt. lebanon • september 2005 Molly, a young filmmaker who was abused as a child, and Claire, her best friend from childhood. Molly “is not vul- nerable. She is very much driving her own life and contributing to the world in a very positive way,” says Radzilowicz. “And yet part of what informs her is this very horri- ble thing.” The death of the perpetrator has brought Molly and Claire together to relive the past. The play is “reflective and hopeful,” Radzilowicz says. “You cringe when you think of what this girl has gone through, but she has gone through it and gone out the other side and is intact.” Moeller and Radzilowicz auditioned people from all over the area and ended up with an all-Mt. Lebanon cast. “We were thrilled that we were able to get local tal- ent,” says Moeller. Vocalist Jennifer Morris plays Molly. “Jennifer is an amaz- ing artist who saw the value of the project and threw herself into it,” says Moeller. Michele Wilson plays the supporting role of Claire. “Michelle has four little kids, and she was willing to put her heart into this out of the passion for the cause. Moeller says. Complementing the per- formers is keyboard player Nadina Bembic, a songwriter, piano teacher and church musician. The script is discomforting, sad and yet hopeful; the music and lyrics are poignant and haunting. The performance should be unforgettable. Don’t forget to look around the audito- rium before the curtain rises. In the crowd will be survivors, perhaps even you. Perhaps some of them will speak out. And voices carry. “Voices Carry” will be presented Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 P . M . in the Mt. Lebanon High School Fine Arts Theatre. Tickets are $10 at the door or by reservation by calling 412-805- 1563. There also will be a performance at California University’s performance center on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 11 A . M . If you are unable to attend but would like to contribute to Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, 81 South 19th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Please note that your donation is for the Voices Carry Project. about PAAR he Voices Carry Project benefits Pittsburgh Action Against T funding, the non-taxpayer supported money that comes from states Rape (PAAR), a rape crisis center headquartered in a historic with compensation and assistance programs for crime victims. As pro- former church at 81 S. 19th St. on Pittsburgh’s South Side. posed in the 2006-2007 federal budget, VOCA funds would be zeroed PAAR was founded in Oakland in 1972 by the Pittsburgh Chapter of the out by 2007, leaving PAAR and other Pittsburgh-area organizations National Organization of Women. Its mission is to “respond to survivors that serve a total of 50,000 victims each year scrambling to retain their of sexual violence with crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy; staffs and programming. advocate for systems to respond to and prevent sexual violence; and educate to prevent sexual violence.” The solemn black ribbon on the agency’s door symbolizes the fact that $1.3 million could be lost collectively by PAAR and other regional agen- Once staffed entirely by volunteers, today the agency has a paid pro- cies including the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, fessional staff and an active community board of directors that provides Womansplace, Alle Kiski HOPE Center, Family Resources, Crisis information, crisis intervention, therapy and support groups for male Center North and the Center for the Victims of Violent Crime. and female victims of all ages. PAAR also offers training for therapists and other professionals and provides well over 1,000 prevention and awareness programs each year to children and adults in groups throughout Allegheny County. It operates a 24-hour free, confidential hotline, 1-800-363-7273, and has a Web site, www.paar.net, that is filled with helpful information about preventing and surviving sexual abuse. Here are some stats from the PAAR Web site: • About one in four women and one in six men will experience a sex- ual assault within their lifetime. In PAAR’s summer newsletter, Executive Director B.J. Horn has this to say: “Losing VOCA will affect every aspect of victim care. It’s so trou- bling to us that victims’ needs will go unmet locally and nationwide. PAAR has always been a place of comfort, hope and healing. We understand the turmoil victims face in admitting they were raped, going to the emergency room, talking to the police and testifying in court. Victims are so courageous as they go through this process, but they need support.” Horn hopes that people who care will contact their elected officials. For • 38.5 percent of rapes are reported to the police. up-to-date information on VOCA’s status, log on to www.paar.net. • 86 percent of adolescent sexual assaults go unreported. Here are the lyrics to one of the songs written by Dawn Moeller that lead • Nearly seven in 10 victims of rape or sexual assault knew their Jennifer Morris will sing in the musical “Voices Carry” to benefit PAAR on attackers prior to the incident. • Victims of rape are more likely to experience drug- and alcohol- related problems than the general population. Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 P . M . in the Mt. Lebanon High School TIME GONE BY Do Fine Arts Theatre. CDs of the musical will be available for $10 at the perfor- mance. n’t as k me • One-third of people who are raped contemplate suicide, and 17 I still why If I co r u The m emember percent attempt it. Gone ld only cha elody by nge ti The h me The sa • In 2003-2004, Pennsylvania rape crisis centers served 38,089 aunti c ng tim Gone I will rifice people; 10,520 were children; 13,527 were adults. by ber of time How remember With cruel Volunteers of all ages assist the PAAR staff with mailing, cler- ou the pr ice No glo t a trace That ical work, fund raising, speakers’ bureau and writing for the wing cold S ember No sig eptem time newsletters. Volunteers who are able to take the state- s n ber fr That of grace om Gone mandated 40-hour training course may work on the hot- cold S by Yes eptem time terday That ber fr line or serve as daytime emergency medical advocates, fe ’s om Gone Tiny els so lonel a dream by helping victims navigate the system in the aftermath of br y A wor oken wing Yester rape. If you are interested in volunteering, call 412- s ld tha d t own That ay’s a drea 431-5665. ed me It was m feels s n’t wh o lone Tiny If I co at it s ly PAAR benefits from community fund-raising br u e A wor oken wing Gone ld only cha emed s efforts, such as a fashion show titled “Muse ld tha by nge ti t It was me n’t wh owned me ReDressed” held this spring at The Priory, a © 20 at it s 05 D eemed benefit performance of “The Vagina awn Moe Monologues” and a women’s health fair at Point Park ller University, and the new Voices Carry Project. But PAAR also counts on receiving a share of $1.26 billion in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) www.mtlebanon.org 51 BY M.A. JACKSON THE SMITHS THE STORIES OF MT. LEBANON’S EARLY SETTLERS… THIRD IN A SERIES R 52 obert Smith really wanted to come to America. In 1736, the 13-year-old North Irish youth stowed away in a ship bound from Belfast to Philadelphia—an eight- to 10-week voyage. He was caught when hunger and thirst drove him from his hiding place. Upon landing in Philadelphia, the ship’s captain hired Robert out as an indentured servant to pay for his pas- mt. lebanon • september 2005 sage—which would have cost about 4 to 10 pounds sterling. “Very little is known about Robert,” says his descendent George Cunningham Smith II. “He could have been an orphan or a coun- try boy, but he probably stayed in the Philadelphia area for some years to pay off the debt.” When Robert’s term ended, he headed west, living for some time in the Bedford area where he married Jenet Wilson, also from Ireland, and started a family that would Renee Rosensteel Don Neeld, George C. Smith and Temp Smith, from left, swap old family stories on what was once their ancestors’ farm—now Mt. Lebanon Golf Course. eventually consist of five children. In 1772, Robert moved his fam- ily to a 100-acre farm in Snowden Township (now Bethel Park)— just north of what is now Connor Road and west of Library Road. There were few families in the area, and Indians still roamed the heavily wooded hillsides, but the Smiths found friends in the neighboring Hultz, McCully and Moor families. They and a few other families who banded together to form Bethel Presbyterian Church in 1776. Robert and Jenet’s son Robert is buried there, as possibly are they. Robert II (born Dec. 29, 1766) married neighbor Jean Moor, who eventually inherited her parents’ farm, which was located on the south side of Connor Road adjoining the Smith farm. Jean and Robert remained on the combined Smith-Moor homestead rais- ing 10 children. Jean was responsible for the business end, travel- www.mtlebanon.org 5 3 William and Sarah (Cunningham) Smith, above, were the original owners of the Castle Shannon farm. The picture behind them was taken in 1916 at the intersection of Castle Shannon Boulevard and Willow Avenue—the golf course can be seen on the hillside in the background. Right: The log cabin that stood on the corner of what is now Chestnut Street and Poplar Avenue. It was the first home of George Cunningham and Nancy (McRoberts) Smith, inset. Their eldest child, Richard Lesnett, was born there in 1865. ing to markets in Castle Shannon and Pittsburgh—crossing the frozen Mononga- hela River on foot when it was too icy for the ferry to run. In the late 1700s, rye was a common crop, and since the raw grain was cumber- some to transport to eastern markets, it was often turned into whiskey. Every sixth household had a still, and the whiskey was often used for trade. When President Washington proposed taxing whiskey to raise funds, farmers in southwestern Pennsylvania were incensed. We do not know if the Smiths raised rye or owned a still, but they were certainly caught in the midst of the action—some of which occurred almost in their back yard. According to the book “Workers in the Vineyard” by Templeton Smith, “Robert was not interested in the movement against the government in Washington and did not intend to go to Braddock’s field [where militia had been requested to gather on Aug. 1, 1794 to sack Pittsburgh]. Jean felt he should go and try to stop the rebellion. So he did. Robert and other patriotic peo- 54 mt. lebanon • september 2005 ple were able to calm down the mob who went to Braddock’s field and to convert the march on Pittsburgh to a peaceful one.” History books, however, do not mention Smith’s calming presence. But they do say the agitated crowd—numbering between 7,000 and 15,000—was appeased thanks to the 379 Pittsburgh residents who sup- plied the “invading” army with food and whiskey. But Robert probably told his chil- dren and grandchild about his role in histo- ry until his death in 1847. Some of Jean and Robert’s children moved west; their second youngest child, William, born Aug. 12, 1812, married Sarah H. Cunningham, who had been born on Brownsville Road to George and Jean Cunningham. The young couple’s assets totaled $2.50 when they married on April 16, 1840. Nevertheless, six years later they were able to sell their share of the homestead (100 acres) to William’s younger brother, John, and purchase a nearby 77- acre farm from John Beltzhoover. The farmhouse was located on Pine Avenue. While only four of William and Sarah’s 11 children would reach adulthood, the farm blossomed as William purchased three adjoining properties—accruing 197 acres by 1859, including a sawmill where Hamilton School later stood. The property ran from the present-day intersection of Mt. Lebanon and Castle Shannon boule- vards to Library Road, which the family called “the Bottomlands,” and almost to Sleepy Hollow Road—“The Wood Lot” or “Wild Woods”—where many years later George Cunningham Smith II would play cowboys and Indians and camp out. The Smiths paid for their land by selling butter for 6 cents per pound, oats and oat straw for 12 and a half cents per bushel and dressed hogs at two and a half cents per pound. When William and Sarah’s eldest son, George Cunningham Smith, married Nancy McRoberts on Oct. 6, 1864, the newlyweds moved into a 64-year-old log cabin located on the farm near the present- day intersection of Chestnut Street and Poplar Avenue. In 1872, William sold his farm to the Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon Railroad Company for $100,000. With the 20 per- cent down he received, he moved his entire family to a $32,000 farm in Bulger, Washington County. The railroad had planned to develop residential homes in the area and mine coal, but an economic downturn in 1873 stymied those plans. When the railroad failed to make pay- ments, William initiated foreclosure and, in December 1879, repossessed the farm at sheriff’s sale. The next year, George and Nancy and their five children (one more would be born in 1884) returned to the old farm, settling into William’s former house at the upper end of Pine Avenue. William died in Bulger in December 1891 at age 79. Two and a half years later, at age 72, Sarah was killed by a train while crossing tracks near her home. George and Nancy found themselves with some new neighbors upon returning to Castle Shannon, including railroad per- sonnel who had built houses in the area where Castle Shannon Library now stands. One of those neighbors was railroad con- ductor Thomas Wilson Fergus, whose son would one day marry George’s grand- daughter. The town was indeed burgeon- ing, and thousands of people were coming This portrait was taken at the family farm in Bulger, April 16, 1890—William and Sarah’s golden wedding anniversary. William and Sarah are seated on chairs in the center; their son George and his wife, Nancy, stand to the left. to the area on the narrow gauge railroad from Pittsburgh to enjoy a zoological gar- den, dance pavilion, summer homes and the Old Camp Meeting Ground in Arlington Park (to the east of the Smith farm) where between 1874 and 1886 the faithful gathered for fire and brimstone ser- mons. Some of the Victorian-style summer houses still stand. George and Nancy, however, were mem- bers of St. Clair United Presbyterian Church (now Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian); they and four of their six chil- dren are buried in the church’s cemetery on Scott Road. In the 1890s, George essentially gave up farming and became a director in the Castle Shannon Savings and Trust Co., selling some of his property for development. He also rented pasture to neighbors for their cows and horses. Templeton Smith’s book reports, “Nancy was fond of sitting on the front porch to read the Atlantic Monthly, while the wives of Castle Shannon criticized her for not attending to her housework. She did do the cooking, but her daughters did the housework.” “In the 1890s, the mineral rights under farm were sold and the family became wealthy,” says George’s grandson George Cunningham Smith II. “[The family] gave up farming and the sons were sent to col- lege.” According to the Templeton Smith book, the Smiths received $39,625 for the mineral rights—an incredible sum for something they had never laid eyes on. George and Nancy’s sons, Richard and John, studied civil engineering at Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh), and William received a degree in biology from Pitt. Soon after George’s death on Jan. 8, 1906, Pine Avenue resident Joseph Permar (whose daughter Cosette married George and Nancy’s son William), Joseph’s uncle- in-law Joseph “Howard” Cochrane and some of their friends approached the Smiths about renting a portion of the farm to start a golf club. “They decided to take up this exotic new game of golf,” says www.mtlebanon.org 55 Permar’s grandson George Cunningham Smith II. The first game was played July 4, 1907, among the horses and cows; the Smiths began leasing out a sizable portion of the farm for the private Castle Shannon Golf Club the next year. About 100 acres of the Smiths’ land, including the area where their house stood on Pine Avenue, became Mt. Lebanon when the township was formed in 1912. According to George II, the Smiths may have seen a tax advantage of having the farm located in Mt. Lebanon. Nancy con- tinued to live in the Pine Avenue house with her daughters Sarah and Ida until her death Feb. 1, 1928. Sarah, unfortunately, had a mental breakdown and was put into an asylum the following year. In July 1945, the Smiths sold the property for $67,200 to Stevenson Williams Co., for a housing development. “All hell broke loose,” says Tom Butcher, who is serving on an ad hoc committee to improve the golf course and has done extensive research on the history of the land. “People got up in arms because they didn’t want to see the golf course turned into homes.” Pressure was put on the municipal commission, and in 1947 Mt. Lebanon bought the property from Stevenson Williams Co. for $125,000. The course then became the Mt. Lebanon Golf Course. Ida continued to live in the Pine Avenue house under a life estate, renting out rooms to earn income. Shortly after she died in 1960, the house was razed—ending 114 years of Smiths on the property. While George and Nancy’s daughters Ida and Sarah remained single and son John died around age 30 in the typhoid epidem- ic of 1900, their children Richard, William and Eleanor all married and had children and grandchildren who would remain in Mt. Lebanon. 56 mt. lebanon • september 2005 Left: The Smith house stood until 1960 at the upper end of Pine Avenue. Above: The first golf game—the idea of Smith neighbors Joseph Howard Cochrane and Joseph Permar—was played July 4, 1907. The players, who first had to clear the field, then posed with their tools and clubs. To the far left is Cochrane; Permar is third from right. ELEANOR In 1898, Eleanor married Lewis Esben Neeld, an electrical engineer (his family’s farm stood near the present-day Neeld Avenue T stop). Lewis and Eleanor lived on Wenzel Avenue near the corner of chair and recalls Eleanor’s apple pie as being “the most fabulous apple pie you’ve ever had in your life.” He has lived in Mt. Lebanon on and off since 1974. He has two children: Craig, now living in Ohio, and Sharon L. Levitt of Swissvale. WILLIAM Minnie and Joseph Permar, their three children and Minnie’s bachelor uncle lived across from the Smiths at 999 Pine Ave. In December 1918, William Smith, who Boustead and had four children, including Frank Edward, whose son, Don Neeld, lives on Morrison Drive. For a time, Eleanor and Lewis were the only Smiths to own a car and often took the family for dri- ves. Don, who lived with his grandparents until the age of 10, fondly remembers visit- ing his Aunt Ida on Pine Avenue, still owns taught at the University of Pittsburgh and his great-grandmother Nancy’s rocking Schenley High School, married the 1960, they returned to Mt. Lebanon. Currently residing on Foxland Drive, George and Peggy have three children— Sarah, who lives on Broadmoor Avenue within sight of the old Smith farm with her husband, Charles Buffington; Alice, who resides in Baltimore with husband Douglas Spiro; and Amy who lives in Alexandria, Va. Left: The Pine Avenue house of William and his wife Cosette (Permar) Smith still stands. Below: Richard Lesnett Smith, an economic geologist, and his wife, Nellie (Brunt), spent time in Arizona and Nevada mining camps, but called Castle Shannon home. Bottom: Annie Smith—the daughter of Richard and Nellie—married Clifford Fergus. The two were born across the street from each other. Permars’ daughter Cosette. “He would joke, ‘I never had a chance to get away,’” says William and Cosette’s son George. William and Cosette rented a house in Castle Shannon and had two children—William Permar (who died in 2001) and George Cunningham II (born Feb. 16, 1926). In 1932, the Smiths moved into the Permars’ Pine Avenue house. “The place seemed huge to me because the four houses now nearest (two on either side) were not built at the time and we had the entire 1.6-acre lot to ourselves,” George says. George’s father planted extensive flower and vegetable plots on the land. In 1932, when George started elementary school, Mt. Lebanon had the policy of pay- ing tuition for the children on the outskirts of the municipality to attend schools closer to their homes, so George attended Myrtle school in Castle Shannon until fifth grade, when the policy changed and the school district started busing the children on the outskirts to Mt. Lebanon schools. His mother figured it would be quicker for him to walk across the golf course and up Broadmoor Avenue to Howe Elementary than to be bused. Aunt Ida usually ate dinner with her brother and sister-in-law’s family. “My mother cooked and shopped, and Ida and Grandma Permar would clean up while Mother read the Saturday Evening Post,” says George. George was in the first class of Mellon Junior High and met his future wife, Peggy, who grew up on Hoodridge Drive, in a high school physics class—although the two did not start dating until after their graduation in 1943. George attended the University of Pittsburgh for three terms before joining the Navy. He eventually earned a Ph.D. from Carnegie Tech in chemical engineering and married Peggy in 1953. His job with Dupont took them to Delaware and Kentucky, but when Jones and Laughlin Steel offered George a job in RICHARD LESNETT George and Nancy’s eldest son, Richard Lesnett Smith, was born in his parents’ log cabin in Castle Shannon on June 26, 1865. He was named after his Aunt Polly’s son, Richard Lesnett, who was killed in the Civil War the year before. The first university-educated Smith, Richard married Nellie Brunt on Sept. 24, 1891. Nellie’s father, William Henry Brunt—a bookkeeper for the Pittsburgh and Castle Shannon Railroad who lived on the corner of Myrtle and Locust—was so fond of his daughter that he accompanied her and Richard on their honeymoon to Niagara Falls. Richard Lesnett was an economic geolo- gist and mining engineer who worked in Western Pennsylvania coal fields, Arizona copper mines and Nevada magnesium mines. While Richard and Nellie made a home in Castle Shannon, Nellie often accompanied her husband on his mining expeditions out west—Templeton Smith’s book claims, “Her presence in a mining camp caused the miners to clean up their language and their manners.” Her great- www.mtlebanon.org 57 Above: Clifford and Annie (Smith) Fergus bought this home on Longue Vue Drive in 1924 when the area was first developed. Their daughters Nellie, inset, and Emily grew up here. Right: Templeton Smith (who is no relation to the Smiths in this story) married Nellie Fergus in 1949. Nellie was the first woman attorney hired at Reed Smith. The couple still live on Valleyview Road. grandson Templeton Smith II says for some time Nellie had a strict rule that no golf was to be played on the Smith property on Sundays. She eventually relaxed the rule, but with one caveat—the hole once located by the Methodist church (which Nellie and her family attended) was off limits on the Sabbath. Richard and Nellie’s only child, Annie, was born Dec. 30, 1892—across the street from where her future husband, Clifford Fergus, had been born five years earlier (Clifford was delivered by Dr. Cyrus Schreiner, who was profiled in our March 2005 Founding Families article). Annie and Clifford, who had attended Sunday school together as children, became engaged July 13, 1916. Shortly thereafter, Annie and her mother moved to Denver in hopes that the high altitude would help Nellie’s asthma. Annie and Clifford wrote often, and excerpts from the 132 surviving letters are featured in the Templeton Smith book “Workers in the Vineyard,” which is available at Mt. Lebanon Library. In one letter, Cliff describes the Castle Shannon bank robbery of May 14, 1917 in which two cashiers were killed. “Believe me Ann! This old town never got such a shaking up as it got today. Five or six men (accounts vary) held up the bank today shortly after noon-day, killed Harrison McLean and Frank Erby and attempted to get away with between $5,000 and $10,000 in coin and bills. One of them was shot back in our meadow and the another one either was 58 mt. lebanon • september 2005 shot or attempted suicide back in the Wildwood…the old town certainly got on the map with a vengeance.” Two of the bandits had raced up Pine Avenue. One shot himself in sight of the Smith house; the other was captured in the Smiths’ woods above Sleepy Hollow Road. Clifford, a banker who would eventually rise to a vice president position with Mellon National Bank, had recently turned down a position with the Castle Shannon bank. In September 1917, Clifford and Annie were married in Denver and subsequently moved in with her parents in their Myrtle Avenue house. Their first daughter, Nellie, was born there Oct. 22, 1919. In 1924, shortly after the birth of their second child, Emily, the family moved into a house in the new Beverly Heights lot plan. In the early 1920s, the Beverly Heights area was still basically farmland and Annie could watch her daughters walk across the field to Markham Elementary, which Nellie began attending as a fourth-grader (the year the school opened). The Ferguses’ yard on Longue Vue Drive featured a grape arbor, peach tree, flowerbeds and vegetable garden. In 1946, Clifford and Annie moved into a bigger house on Rocklyn Place. Clifford died at age 77 in 1964; Annie at age 88 in 1980. Nellie, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh’s law school, was the first woman attorney hired at Reed Smith Shaw & McClay. On June 3, 1949, Nellie married Templeton Smith (no relation to her moth- er’s family) and shortly thereafter retired to start a family. Templeton, an environmental counsel at Koppers, and Nellie still live on Valleyview Road. They have two chil- dren—Eliza Smith Brown (who married Bill Brown and has three children—Will, 16; Brendan, 13; and Regina, 9) now lives in Squirrel Hill just a few blocks from where her father grew up, and Templeton Jr., who lives on White Oak Circle with his wife Lea (Anderson) and their children Templeton III, a sophomore at Hamilton College, and Suzanne, 17. If Templeton Smith III were to walk due east from his father’s house for a half-mile, he’d find himself on the land once owned by his great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather. Indeed, Smith roots run deep in Mt. Lebanon. Some information for this story was taken from an oral history of George Cunningham Smith by The Historical Society of Mount Lebanon. A genealogy chart of the Smith fam- ily is available online at www.mtlebanon.org under “magazine.” BY HOLLY SCHULTZ PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER ROLINSON reAdy, Set, read WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOUR KIDS ARE READING? JOIN THEM IN A BOOK CLUB M ichelle Dreyfuss, Baywood Avenue, had her son Ellis in mind when she started the Parent/Child Book Club. She wanted to show her son that he could read for pleasure in addition to the required reading for school. Dreyfuss also wanted her son, at that time a first-grader at Washington School, to be able to share his interest in books with friends. So, in fall 2000, Dreyfuss invited three other kids and their par- ents to their first book club meeting. They wanted to keep the format simple. The hosting family chooses the book and leads the discussion. All food served is “out of the box or pre-packaged” so that no one focuses on outdoing the others. Both the parent and the child read the assigned book selection so everyone can take part in the discussion. The meetings take place Friday after school. They meet for an hour, which includes some play time for the children after they are finished discussing the book. Since the parents want the kids to read a book that piques their interest, each child in this book club gets to choose the book when it’s his or her turn. The children’s librarians at the Mt. Lebanon Public Library have been supportive. The family who selects the book arranges for Mt. Lebanon Public Library to order enough copies for everyone. That way no one incurs any expense. In addition, if requested, the library will extend the due date for the group, since it is a book club. Parents in this group say that working closely with the children’s librarians has motivated the kids to seek advice and feel comfortable doing so. This particular parent/child book blub is so popular that it has evolved from within, spawning a next generation of readers. Younger siblings, who wanted to get involved when they were learning to read, have joined the club and now meet on the same date as the older kids. While one group meets for its book dis- cussion, the other group of kids gets to play. Recently the Parent/Child Book Club met at the home of Carol and Don Hopey, Jefferson Drive. Four first-graders from Washington and one lucky 4-year old (not yet reading but des- perately wanting to belong since an older brother has been com- www.mtlebanon.org 59 The parent/child book club offers every child a chance to pick a book for the group—a great way to share interests and introduce different genres that other book club members wouldn’t necessarily gravitate to. books they’ve read “Book of Three” by Lloyd Alexander “The Mouse and the Motorcycle” by Beverly Cleary “Ramona the Pest” by Beverly Cleary “Frindle” by Andrew Clements “The Report Card” by Andrew Clements “Walk Two Moons” by Sharon Creech “The Watsons Go to Birmingham” by Christopher Paul Curtis “Phantoms Don’t Drive Sportscars” by Debbie Dadey “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl “The Magic Finger” by Roald Dahl “Tale of Despereaux” by Kate DiCamillo “Harriet the Spy” by Louise Fitzhugh “Pictures of Hollis Woods” by Patricia Reilly Giff “Among the Hidden” by Margaret Peterson Haddix “Running Out of Time” by Margaret Peterson Haddix “Hoot” by Carl Hiaasen “Everything on a Waffle” by Polly Horvath “Russell and Elisa” by Johanna Hurwitz “From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg “Magic Tree House Series” by Mary Pope Osborne “Junie B. Jones” by Barbara Park “Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes” by Louis Sachar “There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom” by Louis Sachar “Nate the Great” by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein 60 mt. lebanon • september 2005 ing to the book club for years) make up the younger group. They were asked to read a biography of their choosing. Most titles mirrored the children’s interests, such as ice skat- ing, baseball, swimming, historical figures and famous women. When Dreyfuss, acting in the role of a parent moderator of the discussion, asked if the reader would learn more about an individual from a biography or an autobiography, her daughter Lydia replied, “If a person writes about himself, they will tell their thoughts, their experiences… even all the little things.” The book for next month is “Secrets of Droon” by Tony Abbott, sort of a “Harry Potter-ish” novel for the younger set. The older group, made up of six fifth- graders from Washington, discussed two “quick reads” by Andrew Clements: “The Report Card” and “Frindle.” Ellis Herman, Dreyfuss’ son, initiated discussion with prepared questions. Overall, the kids loved both selections, nominating “Frindle” as super creative. When they talked about “The Report Card,” both the kids and their mothers empathized for Nora, the main character. She discov- ered her genius in the story but decided to keep it hidden and intentionally get poor grades in school. Emily Wells, the newest member, says, “I like this book club because I’m reading books I probably wouldn’t choose for myself.” For the next month, the Mothers Tracy Fuller, Carol Hopey and Donna DiNardo listen as their chil- dren talk over a selection—which in the last five years have included works by Beverly Cleary, Roald Dahl, Carl Hiaasin, and Louis Sachar. The parent/child book club includes five families. The kids are in control, not only picking the books but creating discus- sion questions. At right, Ellis Herman goes over his questions while Alexandra Linn listens. older kids picked “A View from Saturday” by E.L. Konigsburg. This book club occasionally plans a fun activity related to its book pick. If a movie has been made from the book they’ve read, they’ll rent it and order pizza. When the kids are up for it, they’ll each design a book cover or decide what a sequel will be like. “We used to assign each child a role at the end of each book club meeting, so they could prepare for the next time. The roles were: Connector (make a connection between something in their life or another book or world around them), Group Discussion Leader, Artist, and Passage Picker. The kids enjoyed it, but now that they’re older, we don’t assign the roles because they have too much homework,” Dreyfuss says. The parents in this book club feel their group succeeds because the kids are in control. They pick the books and come up with questions to stimulate discussion. The parents also advise keeping things very simple, as they have done. The book discussion part usually wraps up in 20 minutes. Limiting the group to between four to six kids makes sense. The parents also advise calling on each child for an opinion every time. Any-age child can participate. If they aren’t reading indepen- dently yet, older siblings or parents can read aloud to them. This group consists of both boys and girls, which opens up the range of book choices dramatically. Carol Hopey remembers when one of the boys chose a Hardy Boys mystery. “The girls really complained, and they ended up liking it so much they read more of the series.” The Parent/Child Book Club started by Dreyfuss and son Ellis is not accepting new members. But it would be easy to start one of your own. The main idea is to keep it simple, fun, and focused on the kids. www.mtlebanon.org 61 BY CHRISTINE H. O’TOOLE OUT OF BOUNDS …VENTURES AWAY FROM HOME LAID BACK BIKING LEAN BACK AND ENJOY A NEW KIND OF RIDE Allegheny Recumbent Tours lets bikers see the trail from a new perspective. Operating out of Confluence on the Great Allegheny Passage, Allegheny offers group tours and individual rentals on recumbent bikes. hen Jay Duchene of Beadling Road decided to make his hobby into a busi- ness, it took a used book- mobile, two dozen bent bikes and a tiny Fayette County town to turn it into reali- ty. “I’ve biked all my life, and this is the most comfortable way to go,” says Duchene, whose youthful smile is topped by a Harley-style mustache. He’s referring to the “bents,” or recumbent bicycles, that form his new venture, Allegheny Recumbent Tours. Now open on the Great Allegheny Passage, the recreation trail that runs from the Pittsburgh suburbs to the Maryland state line, the company offers group touring on a fleet of easy-to- pedal velocipedes. W We met Duchene in the tiny, peaceful village of Confluence, 10 miles south of Ohiopyle, for a test drive of his shiny new bikes. With only 700 residents, Confluence is quickly gaining a reputa- tion for its charm and biker-friendly amenities, like The Lucky Dog, a funky new sandwich shop where Jay is treated like family. Duchene, a banquet manager at a downtown hotel, describes his business brainstorm as the result of a lifelong enthusiasm for biking stoked on the streets of Mt. Lebanon and later in California. After buying his first recum- bent in 1995, he realized that leisurely recumbent tours would be an ideal outing for groups that didn’t necessarily fit the sunglasses-and-spandex stereotype of the Inset: Jay Duchene, owner of Allegheny Recumbent Tours, knew from an early age that the future involved bikes in some fashion. “The group experience is what makes it fun,” Duchene says happily. “We make it easy to do.” 62 mt. lebanon •september 2005 long-distance cyclist. “You can go out with a business group, just as you would on a golf outing, and every person can do this well,” he explains. “And best of all, if you travel north on the trail, it’s all downhill. It’s a great entry-level bike, but it’s for all skill levels. And the trail is like a street with no traffic.” Even those familiar with the trail, whose most scenic and popular section is the 27- mile run from Connellsville to Confluence along the Youghiogheny River, will admit to a certain amount of saddle fatigue after a few hours on a standard touring bike. Recumbents offer a kinder, gentler ride. The comfortable mesh back support of the recumbent leans the rider back and extend the arms and legs, so that a cyclist resembles Easy Rider even if he feels more like Pee Wee Herman. The bent’s saddle is wide and cushioned—no padded shorts required. This is soft adventure, indeed. Duchene adjusted our seats and handle- bars, strapped a pack with a tire repair kit and water bottles on the back and waved us off at the Confluence trailhead. Even on a misty and humid afternoon, the shady path was a treat: glowing green, with wild- flowers and butterflies flanking the crushed limestone path. We passed quiet farms and breathtaking river gorges. We waved at rafters on the Yough below. And we reveled in the ease at which our Easy Sport bikes meandered along the trail. Those longing to power up hills might be disappointed by the recumbent’s lack of speed. But when using them on the trail, with a grade that follows old railroad lines, hills aren’t an issue. Grades are never more than two or three degrees, meaning they are imperceptible. On downhill grades, we zipped along at almost 10 mph, a bit faster than mountain or touring bikes, and on the miles of perfectly level surfaces, they provided steady, low-effort locomotion. At the next trailhead, a familiar figure pedaled toward us. “Hey, where’d you get those cool bikes?” Duchene asked. As sole proprietor, Duchene is everywhere on the trail, making sure the bikes are in top con- dition, offering historic tidbits, and shar- ing his appreciation for the surrounding natural beauty. “The bikes are completely safe. They’re checked in advance of every ride,” he says. But should a mishap occur, Duchene is quick to ride to the rescue. En route, Duchene points out a trailside quarry discovered by a local archaeologist. “The first time I stopped, I walked over and picked up a stone. When I turned it over, there was the imprint of a seashell,” he recounts. “There are so many fascinat- ing things that you might ride by and not notice.” Allegheny Recumbent Tours (ART) offers guided packages for those who want to learn more about this region’s rich history, from its War for Empire days through its coal and railroading history. Back in Confluence, we stop back at the Lucky Dog, where Duchene’s wife Wendy is waiting on the deck. The cou- ple is dividing their time between Mt. Lebanon, where their son Joe is a junior at Mt. Lebanon High School, and a home in Confluence. How small is Confluence? Jay Duchene’s househunting story shows how. Last spring, he stuck a note on a Yough Street cottage door, asking if the owner might be willing to sell. A few weeks later, the owner called back. Done. The home is also the headquarters for the ART fleet. To offer one-way tours, Duchene purchased a transport for the ART fleet so that he can meet groups any- where along the trail. His vintage carrier is a used bookmobile from the Allegheny Institute, big enough to pack 24 bikes and gear. Duchene’s thinking big but starting small. Since May he has been booking groups for rides and will continue through the fall. “We’re thinking it through, not really following a model,” he says. Confluence now has a blossoming B&B business (if four establishments can be considered a boom), and Duchene foresees a group opportunity for a funky small-town conference center that could offer dining, kayaking, trout fishing, and cycling to groups. …if you go Allegheny Recumbent Tours (www.alleghenyrecumbentours.com; 412-445-8941) offers rides with basic prices ranging from $25 per person, roundtrip from Confluence to Ohiopyle, or $40 for round trips to Connellsville including van transportation. Call for details on groups or other itineraries. ART can also provide discounted lodging on weeknights in Confluence with advance notice. GETTING THERE: From Uniontown, you can reach either Ohiopyle or Confluence from Route 40. Total travel time is just under two hours from Mt. Lebanon. DINING: Between Ohiopyle and Confluence there are new cafes springing up to service trail users. In Ohiopyle, try the Falls City Restaurant and Pub, (112 Garrett St., www.fallscitypub.com, 724-329- 3000; pub fare and live music). In Confluence, the riverfront favorite is The River’s Edge and B&B, visible from the trail (203 Yough S., 814-395-5059). Massive breakfasts are served all day at The Sisters Cafe (482 Hughart St., 814- 395-5252). Newcomers include The Lucky Dog (849 River Road, 814-395-5566), and Mountain Grill Inn (formerly Chub’s Pub; 450 Latrobe Ave., 814-395-5395). www.mtlebanon.org 63 64 mt. lebanon • september 2005 Gene Puskar BY ANNE LUTZ THE ROAD TO THE BOSTON MARATHON IS PAVED WITH TEARS, SWEAT, AND FRIENDSHIP FOR THESE RUNNING WOMEN f you’re a morning person, you’ve probably seen them run- ning. Most days they’re out before the sun. They describe neighborhoods by their terrain; they consider Bower Hill Road to be flat, the Cochran Road hill barely gets them breathing hard, and few Mt. Lebanon streets have not felt the rhythmic pounding of their sneakers. With 46 marathons among them, Joyce Salls, Mary Tambellini and Kathy Noorbakhsh are veteran runners. They are physically fit, mentally tough, goal oriented and passionate about marathons. These three Mt. Lebanon women lined up at the Boston marathon’s starting line on April 18, having trained for some 200 cumulative hours. All fulfilled their Boston Marathon dreams that day, but the journeys that brought them there varied greatly. Salls was running a “victory lap;” Tambellini was fulfilling an 18-year goal with her husband, and Noorbakhsh was supporting her friends in the most important marathon in the world. At 109 years old, the Boston Marathon is the Super Bowl of Marathons—the only one that requires runners to qualify in order to run its 26.2-mile course. All serious runners want to run Boston. It puts them in an elite group. If you’re a marathoner, the inevitable question is always, “Have you run Boston?” Tambellini says. For Salls, “Qualifying was about believing.” She had always dreamed of running Boston, but thought it was unattainable. Her daughter, a sensitive, caring young woman who fought depression, thought differently. Salls used to train with her daughter, Amy Fehr, when Amy was getting in shape for the Mt. Lebanon High School track season. During these mother-daughter runs, they talked about ways Salls could increase her speed. Amy told her mother that if she just added hill work and speed training to her running regimen, she could run the Boston Marathon. In 2002, Amy gave Salls a Mother’s Day “coupon book” with handmade coupons for dishwashing, car washing, cooked din- ners—and a speed work training lesson at Mt. Lebanon track. At her speed work lesson, Amy gave Salls a training guide, assuring her she could qualify for Boston. Still unbelieving, Salls ran the Chicago Marathon in October 2002, to see if she could get faster. Her time was 4:10, a personal record (PR); Amy was thrilled and once again told Salls, she could beat Boston’s qualifying time of 4:05. One month later, at age 18, Amy lost her battle with depression and died by suicide. In the black weeks that followed, running Boston morphed from I www.mtlebanon.org 65 Above: Kathy Noorbakhsh, Joyce Salls and Mary and Ron Tambellini arrive in Boston, ready to compete with 20,000 runners. Middle: Hooray, Noorbakhsh did it—for the third time! Opposite page: Putting one foot in front of the other during a time of personal devastation led Salls to Boston for a “victory lap.” a distant goal to Salls’ mission. With so many hopes and dreams sadly lost, Boston allowed Salls to regain one dream she and Amy had together. Salls felt connected to Amy during her runs. The rhythm and predictability of “putting one foot in front of the other” got Salls through the many dark days. Salls set her sights on qualifying for Boston in the May 2003 Pittsburgh Marathon. She ran another PR, but at 4:07, it was still two minutes slower than Boston’s qualifying time. Determined, Salls decided to run the Disney Marathon—known for being flat and fast—in January 2004, with Kathy Noorbakhsh, a two-time Boston marathoner. Salls ran the marathon in four hours flat—crushing Boston’s qualifying time by a full five minutes. “I felt like I had wings,” Salls says. “I final- ly believed. I never felt so strong for so long. I felt there were messages from Amy. I felt carried; there was something very spiritual about that run.” Mary Tambellini, a running buddy of Salls’, had qualified for Boston 18 months 66 mt. lebanon • september 2005 earlier. Although Tambellini was a 15-marathon veteran, Boston did not seem “doable” until she turned 50. “When I started run- ning 18 years ago, you needed a 3:40 to qualify,” she says. Tambellini had consis- tently run her marathons in the 4:05 range, and at age 50, 4:05 was the women’s quali- fying time in Boston. Mary and her husband Ron chose the 2002 Chicago Marathon to qualify. “It has so many spectators, and it’s fast and flat,” Tambellini says. “It’s a good place for a PR.” In that race, Mary says she kept running an “unbelievable” pace, and by mile 20, she knew she would qualify. Chicago, she says, was her “hat trick”: she broke four hours, ran her fastest marathon ever and qualified for Boston. Although Ron ran a 3:36 marathon (his 23rd), the men’s qualifying time is a full 30 minutes faster than the women’s, and he missed Boston’s 3:35 qualifying time by seconds. As Tambellini began her Boston training in January 2004, she suffered a hip injury that sidelined her from running. She had to defer running the marathon until 2005, and she waited with anticipation as her friends, Salls and Noorbakhsh, went to Orlando, Fla. for their qualifying marathon. With all three now qualified, they formed a Boston Marathon training pact: weekday runs were done on their own; they would run their long weekend runs together, and they abided by this maxim: “What we say on the run, stays on the run.” They knew casual conversation is consumed quickly during three-hour runs and then intimacy fills the void. “The weekend runs were sacred,” Salls says. “We became our own community. Kathy was a solid presence that kept me on track, and Tambellini was just so positive— always saying we could do it.” “Kathy was my pacer—she’s just so fast,” Tambellini says. They were a weekend fix- ture running the Virginia Manor loop for two- to three-hour stretches. Casual run- ners would fall in and run a few miles with them. Friends would stagger their runs to maximize fresh banter (and legs) during the long training. In January, Salls hit another bump on her road to Boston when she injured her Achilles tendon. Her ability to run the marathon was in serious doubt, so she elim- inated Amy’s speed and hill training, reduced her running frequency and con- centrated on the long runs with Tambellini and Noorbakhsh. By the end of March, her Achilles had healed—a miracle. While the trio were training, Tambellini wrote the Boston Marathon director about Ron. She explained he had missed qualify- ing by only 40 seconds, and in 18 years of running marathons, their goal had always been to run Boston together. Her appeal touched a sentimental nerve, and the race director granted Ron an official spot in the marathon. So, on a hot, cloudless day, Salls, Noorbakhsh, andthe Tambellinis joined 20,000 of the most elite distance runners in the world in Hopkinton, Mass. There were so many young, fast runners on the shuttle bus to the start line, Tambellini said she and Ron felt like chaperones. Boston is different from other marathons, said Salls, “Everyone running it is fast for their age group. It’s a little daunting.” Ron was in a faster corral at the start line, but Joyce, Kathy and Tambellini lined up together. Mary says she got teary thinking of how hard they’d all worked to get there—overcoming injuries, deferrals, missed qualifying times and great person- al loss. After her arduous path to the Boston marathon, Salls’ favorite T-shirt read, “I Qualified, Isn’t that Enough?” “I equate marathons to labor,” says Noorbakhsh. “When you start, you know you are going to finish—it’s just a question of how ugly it gets along the way.” The Boston Marathon was both ugly and triumphant for the Mt. Lebo runners. Accustomed to running at dawn, the noon start was hard—especially given the hot, cloudless day. After being bussed to the start line in the morning, they waited for more than two hours in the sun before they could run. Salls says she felt like she’d already run a marathon before she started. Tambellini says she wasted a lot of nervous energy during the wait. Fatigue set in early. Boston is not a course for PRs; miles 16 to 21 are uphill. The infa- mous “Heartbreak Hill”—the longest and steep- est of them all— comes at mile 20, the breaking point for many marathoners. Running Heartbreak Hill was a mind game, says Tambellini. She forced herself not to dwell on the pain and kept putting one foot in front of the other. “Marathoning is so men- tal, you really have to dig deep,” she says. Not conditioned for running in the heat, the relentless afternoon sun took its toll on the runners even more than the hills and the distance. But the fans got them through it. Spectators shouted encouragement every inch of the course. Wellesley College stu- dents waved signs and cheered at the top of their lungs for more than one-half mile. Kids waited eagerly for their hero runners to “high-five” them for 26 miles. Exhausted at mile 25, a race volunteer handed Tambellini a glass of water and told her, “you only have ten more minutes.” She knew she had made it. Ron was waiting for Tambellini at the fin- ish line with a huge smile and a big hug. Noorbakhsh and Salls were ebullient as they crossed the finish line holding hands. “It was a joyous race for me,” Noorbakhsh says. “There aren’t words to describe how I felt,” says Salls. She called it a “victory lap”—for her and for all the people who carried her through her dark times. “Reaching a goal you thought was unat- tainable redefines yourself. It teaches you that you can do things in life you never thought you were capable of,” she says. After 18 years of running marathons sepa- rately, Mary and Ron Tambellini finally made it to Boston together. He was cheering for her as she crossed the finish line. www.mtlebanon.org 67 BY BETSY THOMPSON PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER ROLINSON A SERIES CELEBRATING DIVERSE PEOPLE, PLACES AND TRADITIONS THAT MAKE MT. LEBANON “A COMMUNITY WITH CHARACTER” t’s a sunny Wednesday afternoon in June, and MoJoe’s is hoppin’ to the beat of music as lively as the décor. Owner Cindy Jennings takes band and business partner, Dave, buses and wipes the tables. An energetic group of preteens exercising independence lines up at the counter, eager to order a Jones soda or an ice cream. Outside sev- eral moms with napping babies in strollers and busy, snacking tod- dlers cheerfully converge at one of the tables, and a pair of retirees—old friends from Sunset Hills United Presbyterian Church—share coffee and easy conversation at another. Since its opening last September, MoJoe’s has been enthusiastically embraced by Sunset Hills residents of all ages and has become a gathering spot they happily call their own. “We’ve sort of become the new town hall,” says Dave Jennings. The Jenningses had just that purpose in mind when they began the venture, and they pride themselves on offering something for everyone in the neighborhood—-lattes, sandwiches, candy, live music. The Crystal Drive residents were not alone in wishing there was a hangout spot they could easily walk to, especially when their three now-teenage children were small. “We finally figured no one else is doing it so we will,” says Dave. With its location adjacent to Sunset Hills’ beloved Howe School, MoJoe’s is just the latest addition to a neighborhood that’s always had plenty of great things to offer: a nine-hole municipal golf course, several parks and ball fields, a large and architecturally diverse housing stock with family friendly cul-de-sacs, as well as some of Mt. Lebanon’s most beau- tiful tree-lined streets and a long-standing reputation for friendly neighbors with a strong sense of neighborhood pride and connection. The Sunset Hills area—the most populous neighborhood in Mt. Sunset Hills orders and runs the register from behind the counter, while her hus- Lebanon—actually began as a religious retreat and then became a sum- mer community in the late 1800s. Prayer tents once stood near what is The Stimmels, neighbors Krista and Anthony Pryor and their three chil- now the Mt. Lebanon Golf Course, eventually giving way to several large dren, ages 7-12, live in their second Sunset Hills home as well. With Mt. Victorian summer homes that are year-round homes today for the resi- Lebanon Golf Course’s No. 9 tee in their back yard, the whole family plays dents of Arlington Park. A series of streets and “mini” neighborhoods golf and uses the course for sledding in the winter. The Pryors’ oldest developed in stages beginning in the late 1920s and continued through to daughter walks to and from Mellon Middle School most days, as do many the present to give Sunset Hills its distinctive identity. Front-porched four of Sunset Hills’ middle school students. squares, elegant stone Tudors, sprawling ranches, post-war traditionals In addition to having a golf course in their back yard, the Stimmels have and large, new homes all inhabit the area, some on brick streets, some on a close group of lifelong friends in Sunset Hills, making it the perfect retire- asphalt, some with sidewalks, some without. But it’s the sweeping hills and ment community for them. They plan to never leave. The Stimmels made valleys that set Sunset Hills apart from the rest of the community. most of their friends over the years through The Sunset Hills United “Sunset Hills has always been a little out of the mainstream,” says life- Presbyterian Church at Crystal and Country Club. The three neighborhood time resident Jeannine Stimmel. Born on Country Club Drive, Stimmel and churches in the area, including St. Winifred’s Catholic on Sleepy Hollow her husband, Bill, live in their second home on Westover Road, where the and Our Savior Lutheran on Country Club, are unique in that they’re nes- couple raised two now-grown children. “Sunset Hills used to be known as tled in alongside the houses on the streets. “You’re never going to find a starter community. It used to be your kids got older and you moved clos- small, true community churches like these anywhere else,” says Jeannine er to the high school and the pool so you didn’t have to be in the car as Stimmel. much,” Stimmel says. “But I don’t think it’s that way anymore.” 68 mt. lebanon • september 2005 While many residents continue to update and add living space to their photos this page: Christopher Rolinson Clockwise from top left: Sunset Hills features some of Mt. Lebanon’s most affordable housing; Julia Ward Howe Elementary School is one of Mt. Lebanon’s oldest; MoJoe’s Coffee, across the street from Howe, is one of the neighborhood’s newest additions; homes, intent on staying in the neighborhood for good, Sunset Hills con- tinues to offer a diverse selection of affordable, starter homes drawing sin- gles, newly married couples, and single parents. Anawanda Avenue for the Pryor family, Caroline, Anthony, Katharine, Krista and Laura, Westover Road, enjoys living by the golf course. instance, a long, brick street just off Castle Shannon Boulevard, is com- Ryan Homes development built in the 1980s, is literally teaming with kids posed almost exclusively of privately owned colonial-style duplexes, fre- of all ages, riding big wheels and scooters, shooting hoops or wrestling on quently available for sale or rent. a front lawn. With three children now, ages 9, 3 and 2 the Stouts often con- The duplexes are an easy stroll to the Julia Ward Howe Elementary template a bigger home. Most likely, says Jennifer, like their neighbors, School, which was named after the author of “The Battle Hymn of The they’ll do an addition or buy something bigger in the neighborhood. With Republic” when it opened in 1927. With 364 students last year, Howe the couple’s oldest son attending Howe School, the Stouts would never boasts the second largest enrollment in the district, second in number to want to leave what they see as being a great thing. “I love everything about Lincoln by a hair, and was the first to undergo the most recent round of the school,” says Jennifer. “ The teachers, his friends, really everything.” It’s elementary school renovations in 2003. It’s hard to find a resident who a sentiment expressed often in Sunset Hills. doesn’t speak of Howe school with affection, and it’s a major reason fam- ilies want to stick around the neighborhood. Brafferton Drive resident Sue Lackner moved from Old Farm Road 14 years ago with her husband, Dave, and two then very young children for Pittsburgh native Jennifer Stout moved with her husband and New more space. She fondly recalls her neighbor on idyllic, tree lined Old Farm, Jersey native, Bryan, from Philadelphia to Valley Park Drive six years ago. Sally Pardini, a retired art teacher from Howe school. “She used to say over On any summer evening, the cul-de-sac just off Sleepy Hollow, a small her beautiful lawn ‘it’s just the best kept secret here isn’t it?’” www.mtlebanon.org 69 T O W A T C H Renee Rpsensteel O N E S D I S C O V E R C H R I S T I A N S C I E N C E Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Science and Health, p. 183 For years the graves of Revolutionary War veterans John Henry and James Glenn—who were buried in St. Clair Cemetery on Scott Road in 1838 and 1813 respectively—have been unmarked. That was rectified on Aug. 6, when new stones were installed. Above, descendants—some of whom came from Montana, Florida and Georgia—lay wreaths on the graves. F I R S T C H U R C H O F C H R I S T , S C I E N T I S T 1 1 0 0 W A S H I N G T O N R O A D • 4 1 2 - 5 6 1 - 1 1 2 5 70 mt. lebanon • september 2005 ohn Henry and James Glenn were living in the South Hills area when Indians still roamed the heavily forested hills. They helped create a community, founded a church and left deep roots. Last month, about 30 of their descendants—some from as far away as Montana and Florida—gath- ered in St. Clair Cemetery on Scott Road to honor their memory. Since their deaths in 1838 and 1813, the headstones for Henry, Glenn and their wives had disappeared. The tombstone for Margaret McMillan Henry, John's wife, was discovered last year in some weeds several feet from the family plot—probably tossed there by vandals. The stone for Glenn's wife, Janet Buchanan—one of the earliest burials in the graveyard in 1807—is still missing. The Henry and Glenn families installed new headstones for the two men and returned Margaret's badly worn tombstone to the family plot. Ann Simmons Eldredge, a resident of Georgia and the fourth great- granddaughter of Glenn and Henry, spear- headed the effort to mark the gravesites. Glenn was born in Lancaster County, served in the American Revolution as a pri- vate in the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment at Valley Forge and moved to what is now Carnegie in 1799 with his wife, Janet, and J eight of their children. The Glenns help to found the Associate Reformed Church of Saw Mill Run (now Mt. Lebanon United Presbyterian Church) in 1804, where James served as an elder. Born in Ireland, John Henry came to America at age 16. He was living in the Collier area before 1774 and served in the 2nd Battalion, Washington County Militia during the American Revolution. After his service, Henry lived on 406 acres in what was then Lower St. Clair Township—the property was located near the present day Potomac Avenue and Greentree Road. Henry was a founder and elder at the Associate Reformed Church of Saw Mill Run and was a commissioner of Lower St. Clair Township. Henry's son James married Glenn's daughter Sarah. At least six gener- ations of Henrys and Glenns are buried at St. Clair Cemetery. lokey Avenue resident Susan Baker Shipley has been chosen as one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business Awards. Shipley is a senior vice president and director of Citizens Bank’s Cash Management Division for the Mid- Atlantic Region and the bank’s International Cash Department. C around town Christopher Rolinson ♦ Mimi Jong cofounded HarmoniZing, a non- profit group that will perform yearly concerts with cross-cultural themes. n April 2004, mt. lebanon magazine pro- filed Navahoe Drive resident Mimi Jong who plays the erhu, a two-stringed instru- ment that sounds much like a viola. At that time, Jong, owner of MLJ Architects, was promoting a concert by fellow erhu player Karen Han. The concert was a big success and since then Jong has been busy pro- moting the erhu and its music. In the last year, Jong helped found the nonprofit organization HarmoniZing! that will pro- duce yearly concerts of cross-cultural col- laboration and, as Jong hopes, “provide a platform to inspire our local musicians of eastern and western cultures, including artists of other disciplines to learn from each other and to create together.” A sec- ond erhu concert with Han—whose music is featured in the films “The Last Emperor” and “The Joy Luck Club”—is scheduled for 8 P . M ., Saturday, Oct. 15, at Pittsburgh High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA ) on Ninth Street, downtown. Jong is also involved with New Moon Orchestra, a culturally diverse ensemble playing Chinese music, and the quartet Jasmine Dynasty, which features three musicians and a dancer. In addition, she has been working on the Mary Miller I O N E S 2 W A T C H p.74 www.mtlebanon.org 71 Renee Rosensteel AMERICAN DREAMS Bombay native Chitra Teredesai made sure her two American-born children grew up with an appreciation of Indian culture. The fam- ily has visited India, and Teredesai leads India awareness programs in schools and clubs. She is president of Mt. Lebanon’s Community Relations Board. f Chitra Teredesai were a song, it would be “We Are the World.” Within minutes of meeting her, Teredesai is talking about the United States not as a melting pot, but a tapestry. “Different threads woven together, different colors living side by side,” she says. “By celebrating the weaving together, we can make it a beautiful country.” Leaving her family and immigrating to the United States from Bombay, India was not in Teredesai’s life plan. But her life plan changed in 1978, when, at the age of 27, she met Pradip Teredesai. Chitra says she had a “facilitated” marriage. It was not an arranged marriage, she says, because she had a say in whether she wanted to continue the courtship after an initial meeting with Pradip in the company of her family. She decided she did want to meet him again, and during Pradip’s two-week return to India, she met him three times, mar- ried him and moved in a whirlwind to Pittsburgh. Pradip had 72 mt. lebanon • september 2005 returned to India to find a bride between completing his Allegheny General Hospital fellowship in nephrology (kidney disease) and beginning his medical practice. Before her wedding, her mother advised her, “You are bound with your relatives and you accept them as they are. Your hus- band is the same way.” Teredesai says she and Pradip got to know each other as hus- band and wife, and nearly 30 years later, “We’re learning more about each other still,” she says. After settling in Scott Township, Chitra fought terrible home- sickness. To overcome her loneliness, she enrolled in a master’s of library information sciences program at the University of Pittsburgh. She had a degree in English literature, had guest lec- tured on the history of art and had worked as an artist at an ad agency in Bombay. She felt this master’s program tied together her love of literature, art and music. She completed her first master’s in 1980, and went on to obtain around ♦ town her master’s in business administration, God on the same level, we will never feel also at the University of Pittsburgh, in 1981. we are all God’s children,” Teredesai says. Teredesai aids in the understanding of Teredesai believes the academic envi- different cultures by leading India aware- ronment shows the best of America. Education in India gives a very solid foun- ness programs in schools and clubs. She dation, but she found education in the also helped bring two world-famous Indian United States gave “more leeway for inde- musicians to the Byham Theater last April as part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. pendent thinking,” she says. Teredesai has a deep love of art and After completing her graduate degrees, paints portraits of Indian people. These Teredesai worked in her husband’s prac- paintings populate her walls, and the tice and moved to Mt. Lebanon in 1989. Teredesai has two children: a daughter, subjects gaze knowingly upon her as Rasika, now 23, and a son, Amar, now 18. she talks animatedly about her home- She says she and Pradip have raised them land, her traditions and religion. Teredesai exudes to be global citi- energy as she sits in zens. They have her sun-drenched visited India, and home decorated in she encourages the greens, golds them to “try to take and ochers of a the best of the East merica is a place where warmer climate. and West.” Her dark hair, She imbues them specked with gray, with their Indian refuses to stay put heritage by sur- people can dream big and feel behind her ears. rounding them with The muffins, ginger hundreds of books tea, and banana on India, demon- chips are finished. strating pride in her it’s not impossible to dream.” Books are every- Indian identity, and where. Her deep talking with them passion breaks about the advan- through her calm tage of being from demeanor—espe- two cultures. She cially when she talks about making the still prepares traditional Indian foods and world a peaceful, accepting place. wears a sari for special occasions. Teredesai says one very important Complacency is her enemy. Although it was never her dream to Indian tradition is having an altar in the move to America, she became a United home. She says almost every Indian home has a place “to spend quiet time with States citizen in 1984. She loves the prin- ciples on which this country was founded— God.” Teredesai is Hindu, which she describes acceptance, work ethic and democracy. as more of a way of life than a religion. She She says, “America is a place where peo- says the basic premise of Hinduism is that ple can dream big and feel it’s not an there is one God who is everywhere (inside impossible dream.” And true to her heritage, she says, “I feel you, outside you, formless and infinite), very blessed coming from India. I had a lot and that it is possible to experience God directly. That direct experience with God is to give and a lot to take from this country [America]. I felt always I had to be a part of the goal of the Hindu life. She recalls receiving her Catholic school this society.” Always balancing the best of East and education in Bombay with Muslims and West, having Teredesai in our town adds won- Hindus, and believes it is important to derful vibrancy to Mt Lebanon’s tapestry. understand and accept all religions. —ANNE LUTZ “Until we place every genuine search for “A www.mtlebanon.org 73 O N E S 2 W A T C H Jason P. Kohler is the executive director of ▼ the Covenant at South Hills. p.71 Dance Company production “A Gathering of Women,” which premieres in October. Later this year, Jong is scheduled to play in a Steinway Society concert series. For concert information, call Jong at 412-344- 5628. Our Smiles are recognizable • Complimentary Initial exam • We offer Invisalign ™ Braces for Children and Adults 7 5 0 W a s h i n g t o n R o a d 4 1 2 - 5 6 3 - 5 8 0 0 w w w . g o b b i e o r t h o . c o m 74 mt. lebanon • september 2005 ason P. Kohler was named the new executive director of the Covenant at South Hills, a B’Nai B’rith senior living community on Bower Hill Road. Kohler brings 13 years of experience in senior housing management and health care administration to the Covenant. Managed by Life Care Services LLC, the Covenant at South Hills is a nonprofit life care commu- nity that opened in 2002. The Covenant provides independent and assisted living services as well as a 24-hour professional health care center. J hree Mt. Lebanon students who live with Type 1 diabetes were selected to represent Pennsylvania as delegates to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Children's Congress in Washington, D.C. earlier this summer. Youth delegates Matthew Robinson, 15, of Pinoak Road, Monica Oxenreiter, 11 and John Oxenreiter, 15, both of Elm Spring Road, attended a hearing in the Senate Committee of Government Affairs to testify on the need for continued government funding for research on Type 1 diabetes— a disease that costs the U.S. $132 billion in health care annually. T around ♦ S U R F I town C I T Y From Infants to Geriatrics t’s fun to surf the Web and see what other cities are doing. From Amateur to Professional Athletes CORVALLIS, OREGON www.el.com/To/Corvallis Located 90 minutes from Portland, Corvallis has a residential population of 52,590 nestled into the heart of the Willamette Valley. Although Corvallis is home to Oregon State University, during the summer the town quiets down until the world-famous da Vinci Days Festival moves into town. For 17 years, the third weekend of July in Corvallis has been host to this festival, which, according to its Web site (www.davinci-days.org), “inspired by the genius of Leonardo, da Vinci Days sparks creativity, celebrates innovation, and fosters the understanding and integra- tion of art, science, and technology.” The festival provides a weekend of robot races, music, art exhibitions, science speakers, and of course plenty of food. HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS Consult the Doctor of Choice Robert L. Yakovac, D.C. 1701 Cochran Road, 2nd Floor Pittsburgh, PA 15220 Telephone (412) 563-8211 FAX (412) 563-8213 THE YOUNG TEAM www.cityhpil.com Do you always find yourself wishing there were a police officer around when you see someone blow off a stop sign or run a red light? Well, in Highland Park police are encouraging residents to report abnormal or dangerous driving behavior whenever they want. The Traffic Education Report Form, known as TERF, allows residents to file complaints against other drivers via the Internet (www.cityhpil.com/govern/dept/ police/trafficedform). Drivers have the abil- ity to describe the location and nature of the driving offense, as well as give a description of the offending car. All of this can be done with the option of remaining anonymous. In Highland Park, Big Brother really is watching. What you see is what you get… CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY Hands on service from the person you hired! www.cherryhill-nj.com Smokers beware; the mayor of Cherry Hill recently announced a ban on smoking on all township-owned land. This means that the Public Works complex, Town Hall, Recreation Center, playgrounds and fields, historical properties and open spaces are now all smoke-free facilities. C AROL Y OUNG C AROL Y OUNG C AROL Y OUNG RANKED IN TOP 1% OF ALL AGENTS NATIONWIDE (412) 561-7400 Ext 247 cyoung@howardhanna.com www.mtlebanon.org 75 F O C U S O N P E O P L E Justin Geisinger, Mt. Lebanon Class of 2000 and a straight-A student while at Vanderbilt University, is putting plans for med school on hold in order to extend his football career. Geisinger, who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, hopes to approach the same success as the last Blue Devil drafted by the pros—1989 grad Brian Williams, who played 11 years for the New York Giants. GAINING GROUND J ustin Geisinger’s job is to protect quarterbacks, but several times a week, this 6-foot 4-inch, 322-pound offensive lineman volunteers at local animal shelters to help take care of puppies. Aside from his tender heart, this jock also has quite a brain—he graduated with a 4.0 GPA from the Vanderbilt University pre-med program. With luck, his plans for medical school may be delayed. The Buffalo Bills drafted Geisinger, a 2000 Mt. Lebanon grad, in the sixth round, making him the first Blue Devil to be drafted in the NFL since Brian Williams went in the first round to the New York Giants in 1989. Geisinger awaited his draft day fate at his home on Standish Boulevard, on what he says was a long, stressful day. 76 mt. lebanon • september 2005 “There were some hopes of me going late long. With so many good players in the NFL, in the first day, so it was really long waiting you have to watch the people ahead of you and sweating it out all the way to the sixth and behind you. I’m just really looking for- round,” Geisinger says. “It was a big relief to ward to getting the pads on and showing the finally get drafted by Buffalo because it is a coaches what I can do.” lot like Pittsburgh. A blue-collar, hard-work- Geisinger certainly has the size of an NFL ing town is a good fit for me.” lineman, but he says he knows he will have Aside from the demographics of Buffalo, to prove that he has the speed and versatili- Geisinger is surrounded by Pittsburgh con- ty to play any position on the offensive line. nections in the Bills organization. “It is going to be a whole new level of foot- Bills’ President and General Manager Tom ball, but I cannot let that intimidate me.” Donahoe is a former Mt. Lebanon resident; Geisinger says. “I am going to go in there head Coach Mike Mularkey and offensive with the same hard-working attitude and coordinator Tom Clements are both former pride that I have always had.” Steeler coaches; and perhaps the most sig- Geisinger attributes his work ethic and nificant factor in helping Geisinger land in positive attitude to Lebo football Head Buffalo is the good word that Mt. Lebanon Coach Haering, whom Geisinger considers Coach Chris Haering put in for Geisinger his biggest role model. with his uncle, Joe Haering, the Bills’ head “[Coach Haering] let me know that I had scout. potential and that if I “I feel so lucky to worked hard I could be close to home,” get to this level,” ’m just excited to be a part of the NFL Geisinger says. “It is Geisinger says. “If it only about a three- wasn’t for him, I and proud to come from a place like Mt. and-a-half-hour wouldn’t have got- drive from my ten serious about Lebanon…” house, and Tom football and focused Donahoe called me on earning a college on draft day and told me I would have no scholarship. He really instilled a sense of problems getting accustomed to Buffalo.” pride in me.” Geisinger, a former Post-Gazette Fab-22 Haering is confident that Geisinger will be and Tribune-Review Terrific 25 player in high wearing blue and white when Buffalo opens school, started all 43 games he played at its schedule this month at home against Vanderbilt University. Houston. While at Vanderbilt, Geisinger excelled on “He was a young man that was a little late and off the gridiron, graduating with honors in developing; he was always a big kid that on the pre-medical track and earning himself needed to grow into his body,” says the a spot on the Southeastern Conference coach. “He had a great work ethic, though, Academic Honor Roll twice. and he was never afraid to put in the extra “My parents taught me to always take time and do the little things to make him a pride in my academics from a young age,” better player. Personally, I think [the Bills] got Geisinger says. “It was not an easy task, but a steal drafting him in the sixth round. He is I chose Vanderbilt because of their great a tough, smart player that will do whatever it academics.” takes to make the team.” While at Vanderbilt, Geisinger also found Geisinger will be competing with 15 other time to volunteer at the Nashville Humane linemen for a spot on the regular season Society and the Vanderbilt Children’s depth chart that usually only has room for Hospital once or twice a week because he approximately 10 offensive linemen. wanted to set an example for the younger “I’m full steam ahead and focused on players on the football team. making this roster,” Geisinger says. “I’m just Although Geisinger is not ruling out the excited to be a part of the NFL and proud to possibility of attending medical school in the come from a place like Mt. Lebanon where I future, he says now he is completely focused had the teachers, coaches and facilities that on making the Bills’ roster. prepared me well for college and enabled “It’s like a big job interview; you have to me to excel.” perform, or you’re not going to be there very — STEVE SILVER “I J o a n n e H i g g s , C e r t i f i e d P e r s o n a l T r a i n e r One Trainer…One Client…One Goal Fall classes now beginning • Spin-Sculpt • Spinning • Pilates • Boot Camp • Group Rates (partner training rates available) • Voted #1 fitness studio in Mt. Lebanon by mt. lebanon magazine readers 5/02 412.563.7510 A MORE PERSONALIZED WORKOUT FOR A MORE DEFINED BODY 20 Cedar Blvd., Suite 406 • Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 www.mtlebanon.org 77 Renee Rosensteel L I B R A R Y Book and bargain lovers line up early for the library’s Twice Sold Tales book sale. This is the place to find kids’ books, romances, mysteries, classics and Oprah’s Book Club selections at prices that put those discount store prices to shame. The sale runs Oct. 15 through Oct. 22, during regular library hours. To get in early, sign up for the Books and Bubbly Gala, 5:30 P . M ., Friday, Oct. 14. Tickets are $25 at the library. BOOK SALE Twice Sold Tales used book sale co-chairs Sandy Golomb and Anne Kemerer are instituting a few changes to this year’s popular Friends of the Library fund-raiser. The Books & Bubbly Gala, held Friday, Oct. 14 (the evening before the sale begins), will begin earlier—5:30 P . M .—and end later—8:30 P . M .—giving guests an extra hour to shop and enjoy the food and champagne. Tickets are $25 at the library. While the last day of the sale, Saturday, Oct. 22, will remain $5 a bag day, the day before, all books will be half price. As the donations have come in, Golomb and Kemerer have pulled the best and rarest to be auctioned off on the final day of the sale. For information, call the library at 412-531-1912. Plans are in the works for a basket raffle of items and gift certificates donated from local vendors. The book sale runs Saturday, Oct. 15 through Saturday, Oct. 22, during regular library hours. Donations will be taken at any time before or during the sale and can be dropped off in the first-floor foyer. SCHOLARSHIP Beginning May 2006, the Friends of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library will award up to two $1,000 scholarships to two high school seniors who’ve logged at least 55 volun- teer hours at the library over a one-year period. To be eligible, student volunteers must submit a 500-word essay addressing how their volun- teerism has affected their academic and person- 78 mt. lebanon • september 2005 al growth. Students will also need a letter of acceptance from the college or university they will attend, as well as one letter of recommenda- tion. Application due date is Feb. 15, 2006. To sign up as a volunteer or for scholarship infor- mation, call 412-531-1912. NEWS BITS In August, Mt. Lebanon Library became a Wi-Fi zone. Wireless fidelity allows patrons to use their laptop computers anywhere in the library. The hardware and installation were paid for from garden tour proceeds…The June garden tour raised $14,790, and the first ever garden party—held the night before the tour in the library’s courtyard—was a big success. More than 80 people attended the event, which was catered by Sesame Inn, Mitchell’s Fish Market and Molly Brannigan’s. Next year’s tour will be Sunday, June 11. If you would like to volunteer or would like to submit your garden for tour con- sideration, call tour chair Bonnie VanKirk at 412- 429-0319…New Friends of the Mt. Lebanon Public Library board members are: Greg Volitich, president; Joan Riggs, vice president; Lisa Guadagnino, recording secretary; Catherine Coblin, corresponding secretary and Carol Petti, treasurer. NEW LOOK Reference and information techni- cian librarian Craig Hayward has redesigned the library’s Web site at www.mtlebanonlibrary.org. The new site’s home page features four cate- gories—resources, services, library news and community—each with subheads so patron scan easily locate information. Check your account, surf the databases, peruse upcoming events, download a form to volunteer, reserve a book or movie, or ask a reference question— all those links and more are available on the home page. “We added a lot in response to patrons requests,” says Library Director Cynthia Richey. One of those requests was the “check your e-mail” option that can be found under the Resources category. Popular e-mail servers such as AOL, Yahoo and Lycos are available. LIBRARY DATABASES O ne of Mt. Lebanon Public Library’s data- bases could make your life a little easier— and the great part is that you can access the data from your home computer. Go to www.mtlebanonlibrary.org; click on the Online Reference tab and then click “eiNetwork Databases.” Just enter your library card bar code number to begin. JOB AND CAREER Although the title is a bit misleading, the Job and Career database is not just a huge employment classified Web site. Instead, this database fea- tures all of the tools you will need to prepare yourself for a job search or even for the some- times daunting task of the job interview. One of the services the library database provides is a link to learnatest.com. This site is an online, interactive resource that is designed to help you reach your academic and career goals. Learn exactly what you need to know with practice tests that are based on the official exams. By creating an individual account you can practice at your own pace and keep track of your results. Some of the exams include: GED, SAT, civil service, military, law enforcement and real estate tests. Another component of the Job and Career Center is a link to the Gale Group, which allows you to search company profiles, brand informa- tion, rankings, investment reports, company his- tories, chronologies and periodicals, and other background information that can prove useful when applying for a job. The Gale Group also allows you to search various academic publica- tions that can boost anyone’s knowledge. College and graduate school students can search thousands of college and graduate school entries, identify scholarships that meet their financial needs, take online practice tests and use test prep eBooks. www.mtlebanon.org 79 lighting a fire hink your Monday mornings are a challenge? Try starting the work week in Room 442 at Mt. Lebanon High School. Your task: to engage, enlight- en—and with luck, entertain—second- semester seniors at the end of the school year. “This is as challenging as it gets,” says social studies and history teacher George Savarese, watching his students trickle into in his first period International Relations (IR) class. He is cheerful and upbeat, even on a Monday. “Good morning, good morning,” he greets them. “Anna, great job in the play,” Savarese, 38, was named one of six southwestern Pennsylvania Teachers of Excellence this past April, and was awarded a $2,500 grant for Mt. Lebanon High School. The Teacher Excellence Program, a south- western Pennsylvania nonprofit group, hon- ors outstanding teachers in the region through the program, which included more than 15,000 teachers and 100 finalists in 63 school districts across eight Pennsylvania counties. This morning’s topic in Room 442 is “China: Competitor, Enemy or Ally”? “My friends, China will affect you—let’s face it—for the rest of your lives,” he tells the group. Savarese is in warm-up mode, calling on people at random. “Do we have a trade imbalance with China? Josh? Kevin?” Not quite awake this morning, neither student can answer. Discussion turns to the U.S. trade imbalance with Japan—roughly $75 billion since 1960. There’s plenty of name recognition of Japanese companies, called out at ran- dom—Sony, Mitsubishi, Hyundai—“But hold on a second!” says Savarese, as he spins around from the blackboard, chalk in hand. “Can you come up with some Chinese companies?” First, there’s silence. Then, someone pipes up, “Panda Express?” “Come on! I’m getting nothing!!” wails Savarese. “Everything that Wal-Mart has?” ventures a small voice from the back, then laughter. Savarese shakes his head. Savarese, a Bloomfield native who now lives in Highland Park, graduated in 1988 from Duquesne University with a triple major in history, political science and English, and later, earned a master’s degree in history. T 80 mt. lebanon • september 2005 2 W A T C H Renee Rosensteel O N E S Mt. Lebanon High School history teacher George Savarese was recognized by the Teacher Excellence Program as one of the top 100 teachers in the region last year. He credits sup- portive colleagues, his Duquesne University mentor, the late Dr. Joseph Morice, “amazing” students, involved parents—and the vocal stylings of crooner Dean Martin—for his success. While a student there, he was WDUQ’s news director, and captain of their nationally ranked speech and debate team, and was a free- lance correspondent for NPR. His first job out of college wasn’t in a classroom, but with the World Affairs Council as director of educational programs, where he spent 10 years running seminars on international relations for high school stu- dents and teachers. He was also a corre- spondent and newscaster for KQV radio. Yet the high point of his year always seemed to hit at the Pennsylvania Governor’s School at the University of Pittsburgh, where he spent seven summers teaching IR to gifted high school students. “I was on cloud nine,” he says. “I was so alive when I was teaching those kids.” Savarese joined the MLHS fac- ulty in the fall of 1998. He serves as faculty advisor and coach for the high school’s Model U. N., and forensics team. Both teams have won top-three honors in nation- al and statewide competition, while sweep- ing district championships over the past five years. Savarese is unreservedly passionate about his profession—and about history. “History is alive,” he asserts. “It’s drama, passion, sex, and violence. It’s every great story ever written.” One of his favorite quotes on teaching comes from poet W.B. Yeats: “Teaching is not about filling up a pail, it’s about lighting a fire.” Inspirational max- ims are posted throughout the room. On the front blackboard: If You Are Going to Doubt Anything, Doubt Your Limits. He picks up a bobblehead doll of Richard Nixon, the first American president to go to China (“I am not a crook,” he intones, as Nixon’s head sways back and forth), and tells the story of Chinese human rights activist Harry Wu, whom he once inter- viewed while at KQV. Wu, a former political prisoner, tried to sneak in with a “60 Minutes” film crew to shoot a documentary on Chinese labor camps but was stopped and sent back to the U.S. During the inter- view, tells Savarese, Wu saw a Pirate Parrot doll in the studio and became emotional. “I made toys like this for 12 hours a day,” said Wu, who had spent 14 years in a Chinese labor camp. The room is silent; all eyes are on Savarese. Being able to tell real-life sto- ries like these, gleaned from his experiences as a radio journalist, is icing on the cake. “Having a career of 10 years made me a better teacher,” he says. “Hey, I drive an old jalopy, but I’m really lucky,” Savarese says. “I’m here with these amazing kids. How many people get to go to work every day doing something they love?” — ANNE CAFFEE www.mtlebanon.org 81 F O C U S O N Renee Rosensteel AGENTS BUILDING P E O P L E First-time author Many Ly’s story about a young Cambodian girl, “Home is East,” helped raise her awareness and apprecia- tion of her own DELUXE OFFICE SPACE INCLUDING ALL OFFICE SERVICES—IN A PRIME SUBURBAN LOCATION Cambodian culture. Ly, who came to the U.S. at the age of 4, has already Ample free parking and located on the “T” line Immediate occupancy Office services include telephone answering service, complete word and data processing, internet and fax, and use of conference room. Locate your office in a convenient, friendly and cooperative atmosphere. completed a second book, and is at work on a series of short stories in collaboration with her husband, Danith, also a Cambodian refugee. 345 Mt. Lebanon Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15234-1505 412-563-1408 agentsbuilding@aol.com NORTHERN ITALIAN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Join Jamie’s free PREFERRED GUEST CLUB on your next visit! You will receive a membership card entitling you to perks of the month BANQUET FACILITIES AVAILABLE GIFT CERTIFICATES 3220 W. LIBERTY AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA 15216 412.561.0450 412.561.0452 FAX 82 mt. lebanon • september 2005 First Time’s the Charm I t’s just not supposed to be this easy. Writing a first novel takes training and lots of practice, with false starts and half-baked ideas chucked to the trash bin before finding a successful narrative. And as far as getting an agent and a publisher? Forget about it! Nonetheless, Mt. Lebanon writer Many Ly has effectively destroyed any precon- ceived notions of how a first novel is born. The 28-year-old’s new book, “Home is East,” is not only her first published work; it’s her first writing project period. Despite earning a teaching degree in English edu- cation from the University of South Florida, Ly never had any interest in taking creative writing courses. It was only after she moved with her husband to the Pittsburgh area in 2001 that she joined the Squirrel Hill Writers’ Group and began penning a story about Amy Lim, a 9-year-old Cambodian- American who learns to cope with her place in the United States, her feelings about her foreign heritage, and the sudden disappearance of her mother, who one day doesn’t show up to bring Amy home from school. Ly finished the book in 13 months and spent another two revising her manuscript. She bought one of those books listing var- ious literary agents, sent out a batch of query letters, and nabbed an agent 20 days later. “Home is East” deals with some fairly heavy themes, and Ly’s agent first shopped it as a book for mainstream adult readers before an editor suggested it may get more notice as a young adult title. Turns out, that editor was right, and on August 9, the almost-300-page novel was published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books. The book’s release ends a whirlwind experi- ence for Ly, who now finds herself a pub- lished author, even as she refuses to see herself that way. “I didn’t think I would ever be able to write a book,” she says. “To me, writing a book is like being able to sing or act. I think to consider myself a writer is too much.” Still, she’s got enough of a writer’s men- tality to be a little concerned about how the book will be received. (“I’m nervous that it won’t go anywhere,” she admits.) Ly’s biggest hope is that children or teenagers who read the book may see a little of them- selves in her protagonist. “I’m hoping when young people read this book that it helps them come to terms with their background,” she says. “I hope that young Asian-Americans read Amy and are proud of her… but I also want it to be universal for all children to identify with Amy, not just Asian-Americans.” Amy is not Ly, but the character does go through experiences taken from her cre- ator’s life. Ly didn’t grow up as poor as Amy does in “Home is East,” but the book’s anecdote about Amy proudly wear- ing her green long-sleeved winter dress during the summer months, a questionable fashion statement that earns her much ridicule from her peers, is something that Ly pulled from her own childhood. Ly’s parents fled Cambodia for America in 1981, when she was 4, after the country had been torn apart by the Khmer Rouge communist regime that ruled the country from 1975 to 1979 and killed an estimated 1.7 million people. Ly admits that her appreciation for Cambodia’s history and its culture grew stronger while she was writing this book. “Accept your past, be proud of it, but don’t be defined solely by it,” she says. “I don’t intend to make my message only about the hardships of Cambodians. Like all people, Cambodians just have their own story to tell.” Now that Ly has told Amy’s story, she’s pleased to discover that she has more tales to put to paper. A second book is complete, and a third project is also in the works—a short-story collection that will be a collaboration between Ly and her hus- band, Danith, who is also a Cambodian refugee, but being five years older, remem- bers much more about a tumultuous time in their native country’s history. Danith’s memories, those of an innocent child growing up in a country in chaos, will form the backbone of the stories. Ly says book two was harder to write than book one. “When I started, it wasn’t really that I even had a story to tell,” Ly says. “I just wanted to create Amy, a Cambodian girl who grew up in America. I’m very pleased with Amy, and I hope readers will find her lovable and endearing. With the second book, you know a little bit, and you always question yourself.” — BOB TAYLOR www.mtlebanon.org 83 Y O U R C A L E N D A R Christopher Rolinson M A R K Get Your Back BACK! Relief for Your Neck or Back Pain DECOMPRESSION THERAPY is a safe, non-surgical therapy devel- oped to relieve pain associated with bulging, herniated, degenera- tive discs and pinched nerves. Call us today for an initial exam to see if you’re a candidate! • Herniated and bulging discs • Sciatica • Pinched nerves • Degenerative discs • Posterior facet syndromes Decompression Therapy System D T S A traction based procedure A Non-Surgical Highly Effective Solution for Disc Pain 4 1 2 . 8 3 3 . 6 3 2 3 Michael Schneider, D.C. William Tellin, D.C. Frank Imbarlina, D.C. S P I N E A N D P A I N C A R E C E N T E R 1720 Route 19 South, Norman Centre 1, above Blockbuster Video EXCEPTIONAL DENTISTRY FROM THE OFFICE OF Roy G. Lanz, D.M.D. • G E N E R A L A N D FA M I LY D E N T I S T RY • I M P L A N T S A N D C O S M E T I C D E N T I S T RY • ZOOM WHITENING SYSTEM® • MANY INSURANCE PLANS ACCEPTED Dr. Roy G. Lanz welcomes Dr. Matthew J. Lanz, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, to the dentistry practice. Matthew J. Lanz, D.M.D. WASHINGTON SQUARE • 750 Washington Road • Mt. Lebanon Office hours by appointment • Evening appointments available 412.343.2022 84 mt. lebanon • september 2005 See how firefighters rescue people—using contraptions like the one above—at Mt. Lebanon Citizens Fire Academy. You’ll also get to use fire hoses, climb ladders and per- form search and rescues. The academy runs Wednesday nights from Sept. 28 to Nov. 16. CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY If you wanted to be a firefighter as a child and somehow found yourself sidetracked into a desk job pushing papers, Mt. Lebanon Fire Department has a class for you—the Citizens Fire Academy. This fun and informative nine-week class allows residents to go behind the scenes in a fire department and wear real turnout gear and use real firefighting equipment—hoses, the Jaws of Life, fire extinguishers and lad- ders. Mt. Lebanon firefighters serve as Citizens Fire Academy instructors, covering topics such as engine and ladder truck oper- ations, rescue methods, fire prevention and code enforcement and emergency medical services. Participants also get a chance to ride along with on-duty firefighters to emer- gency calls and take a ride in the 95-foot lad- der truck bucket. The Citizens Fire Academy begins Wednesday, Sept. 28 and runs Wednesday nights, 7 to 10 P . M ., through Nov. 16. Applications are available at Mt. Lebanon Fire Department, 555 Washington Road; online at www.mtlfd.org, or 412-531-5366. Application deadline is Sept. 15. For infor- mation, call Kevin Abbott or Nick Sohyda at 412-531-5366. Check the July/August 2005 issue of mt. lebanon magazine for an in- depth article about the academy. Y O U R C A L E N D A R Gene Puskar M A R K Start your holiday shopping early at Art in the Park, 10 A . M .-6 P . M ., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2, Mt. Lebanon Park. Sponsored by the Mt. Lebanon Sunrise Rotary Club and the Mt. Lebanon Police Association, this year’s sale will feature works by artists like, from left, Adrienne Miller, “Crafted by Addie;” Craig Smith, “No Wood Unturned;” Eric Tupper, Rotarian; Elaine Rosenfield, festival coordinator; Chaz Letzkus, hidden animal drawings; George Jackson, Rotary president; and Gina M. Chalfant, “White Swan Illuminations.” ART IN THE PARK Mt. Lebanon Sunrise Rotary Club and the Mt. Lebanon Police Association present the fourth annual Art in the Park, 10 A . M . to 6 P . M ., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 1 and 2 in Mt. Lebanon Park. The two-day event, which also features music, food booths and a children’s area, focuses on high-quality arts and crafts. Approximately 60 artists will display and sell their creations, including Barry Jeter (water- colors), Gina Chalfant (porcelain bowls and platters), Dan Goser (black and white pho- tography), Paul Kinchington (hand-cut coin jewelry), Adrianne Miller (custom knitting), Jennifer Scanlon (pencil illustrations), Danielle Showrank (mosaic candleholders and bowls), Ruth Richardson (watercolors), Yeager Studios (photography), Edna’s Attic (hand- dyed and knitted sweaters and scarves), Roland Metal Art (sculpture) and Nevin Robinson studio (pen and ink drawings). Judges this year are Mark Leach, curator and manager of Carnegie Museums Shops; Janet McCall, Society for Contemporary Crafts director; and Phil Salvato of the Third Street Gallery in Carnegie. Eight awards will be presented to the best artists. “We have something for everyone,” says Rotarian Elaine Rosenfield. “Prices range from $10 to hundreds of dollars.” Lutong Bahay, a Filipino restaurant, will have a food booth, and there also will be hot dogs, ice cream, pizza and fudge for sale. Children can make beaded bracelets or have their faces painted at the kid’s booth run by Kimberly Perl. Proceeds from the event benefit commu- nity organizations including Mt. Lebanon and Dormont libraries, Mt. Lebanon Police Department, Outreach Teen and Family Services and the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department. MUSIC FOR MT. LEBANON 2005 marks the 60th season for this concert series. Shows are 8 P . M ., Saturdays, in the Mt. Lebanon High School auditorium. Season tickets range from $60 to $70. For information call 724-941-9490. Oct. 1: Betty Buckley The star of “Cats,” “Gypsy” and “Pippin” will perform with a five-member band. Nov. 5: “In the Mood—A 1940s Musical Revue” The String of Pearls singers and dancers—in historical costumes—and a 14- piece orchestra perform music from the 1940s—swing to romantic ballads. Dec. 3: “The New Gene Krupa Orchestra” Michael Berkowitz—who has performed at Carnegie Hall, on Broadway and at London’s C A L E N D A R p.86 www.mtlebanon.org 85 ▼ M A R K p.85 Palladium Theater—serves as drummer and conductor along with an orchestra and vocalist Lynn Roberts, who has appeared with the Buffalo Philharmonic. March 4, 2006: A Benny Goodman Tribute Clarinetist Ken Peplowski and the Kingdom of Swing Big Band will take audiences back to the era of big bands with “One o’Clock Jump,” “Stompin’ at the Savoy” and other standards. April 8: “Bravo! Broadway” Singers Michael Maguire, Jan Horvath and Doug LaBreque perform immortal Broadway show tunes writ- ten by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, and others. 86 mt. lebanon • september 2005 Y O U R C A L E N D A R “RENOVATING WITH STYLE” FREE WORKSHOP Whether you’re the new owner of a fixer-upper, a couple who needs to expand living space to accommodate a growing family or a pair of empty nesters who want to create a new space for your new phase of life, you’ll want to do it with style. And you’ll want to be sure that the changes you make will enhance—not detract from—the value of your home. Learn how to maintain the integrity of your home’s architecture and build market value at a free workshop titled “Preserving Your Home’s Character: Renovating With Style.” The workshop will be held Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 7 to 8:30 P . M . at Mt. Lebanon Public Library, lower level. The workshop, which will offer expert advice on remodel- ing from architects and landscape architects, is sponsored by Mt. Lebanon’s historic preservation board in partnership with the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh’s Renovation Information Network. Tara Merenda of the Renovation Information Network will serve as moderator for the event. Members of the historic preservation board will be on hand to offer advice, as well. Mt. Lebanon Municipality pays $2,500 each year for membership in the Renovation Information Network. The membership entitles any Mt. Lebanon homeowner to a two-hour consultation with an architect or landscape architect for only $150. There is no obligation to hire the architect. So far this year nearly 30 homeowners have taken advan- tage of the service. A followup survey conducted last year by the his- toric preservation board indicated that the majority of residents who used the service in 2004 were very pleased. To arrange for an RIN consultation or if you have a question about the free Sept. 14 workshop, call Merenda at 412-391-4333. Expires 9/30/05 Expires 9/30/05 Good life Market • BENJAMIN MOORE PRODUCTS • UNFINISHED FURNITURE • PORTER PAINTS • METALLIC PAINTS 3339 Washington Road McMurray 15317 724-941-9060 ACE PAINTS $5 OFF any purchase over $30 $10 OFF any purchase over $75 Sikkens Products excluded. Limit 1 coupon per sale. Cannot be combined with any other offer/discount. Expires 10/31/05 294 Beverly Road Mt. Lebanon 15216 412-531-2029 www.mtlebanon.org 87 rec M T REGISTRATION You can register for all Recreation Department programs in person at the Recreation Department office, second floor, Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A . M .-5 P . M ., or by mail, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. You can register for many pro- grams and activities online at www.mtlebanon.org. The Recreation Department will make reasonable accommodations to its programs and services to assure access to all persons. If you need an accommodation because of a disability, please call 412-343- 3409, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A . M .-5 P . M . All checks should be made payable to Mt. Lebanon, PA. Sorry, we cannot accept cash. VISA AND MASTERCARD ACCEPTED INFORMATION For recreation information during business hours, call 412-343-3409. Weekends and evenings, dial 412- 341-LEBO for a recording of upcom- ing events. INDOOR TENNIS Seasonal times available for 2005- 06 indoor season. Over the last several seasons, we have been able to find an acceptable time for all applicants. Applications available in the Tennis Center, or call: 412-833-4124 or 412-343-3411. Hourly times will also be available during the season… 412-343-3411. 88 mt. lebanon • september 2005 L E B A N O N R E C R E A T I O N IRISH DANCE KELLY SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE WITH THE MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER Oct. 6 – Dec. 1 (8 Weeks; No class on Nov. 24) THURSDAYS 6:15-7 P . M . Beginner I (ages 4-6) For beginning dance students only. Basic jig fundamentals will be mastered and tradition- al group dances such as Keel Row, Shoo the Donkey and/or Seige of Ennis will be taught. 7:15-8 P . M . BEGINNER II (AGES 7-11) For older beginning students or students with some Irish dance experience. Students will master novice traditional group dances as well as learning soft shoe dances such as the jig and reel. LOCATION: TBA INSTRUCTOR: Kelly Uranker FEE: $45 Resident; $55 non-resident “MOMMY & ME” WHO: 2- and 3-year-olds with a parent or other adult (must be 2 years old by 9/1/05) WHAT: Children learn creative exercise, coordination, and basic tumbling skills while spending quality time with a parent or adult. WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 15- Dec. 8. No class Nov. 24 (12 weeks). Or Friday, Sept. 16-Dec. 9. No class Nov. 25. WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, 2nd floor, Room “B” TIME: 9:45-10:30 A . M . or 10:30- 11:15 A . M . INSTRUCTOR: Miss Janet FEE: $60 resident; $65 nonresident. $5 late fee begins Sept. 8 1ST-AND 2ND-GRADE MICRO SOCCER PROGRAM WHO: Separate leagues for boys and girls in first and second grade. WHERE: Main Park—Dixon Field and Wildcat Field. WHEN: Saturday, 9 A . M ., 10 A . M ., 11 A . M . & Noon Sept. 24-Oct. 29. (Times are subject to change.) FEE: $30 includes team shirt; $10 late registration fee after Sept. 16. REGISTRATION: Parents can register children at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, 8:30 A . M .-5 P . M ., Mon. - Fri. Or register online at www.mtlebanon. org (click on Recreation Department). For more informa- tion, call 412-343-3409. GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH PARADE 11 a.M., SATURDAY, OCT. 29 PARTICIPANTS INVITED! VOLUNTEERS WANTED! BANDS, ANTIQUE CARS, DANCE TROUPES, SCOUT TROOPS, SPORTS TEAMS, SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS, COMPANY MASCOTS. ANY ORGANIZATION INTER- ESTED IN REGISTERING TO MARCH IN THE PARADE, PLEASE CALL PAT CANNON AT THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT, 412-343-4513. D E P A R T M E N T karate! TRADITIONAL SHOTOKAN KARATE-DO EMPHASIZES ORDER AND SELF-DISCIPLINE. INSTRUCTOR CHUCK KERRIGAN & THE STAFF OF TRADITIONAL KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION AIM TO INSTILL A SENSE OF ACCOM- PLISHMENT, POSITIVE SELF- IMAGE, SELF-DEFENSE SKILLS AND LIFE SKILLS AT THE MT. LEBANON RECREATION CENTER. SESSION I: Wednesdays, Oct. 5-Jan. 25, 2006 SESSION II: Wednesdays, Feb. 1- May 24, 2006 4-4:30 P . M . Red & Gold Belts 4:30-5 P . M . New students, grades 1-6 $140 for 4 months (16 weeks). Non-residents add $10. New students only will receive a free uniform. NEW STUDENTS ACCEPTED ONLY IN OCT. 2005 and FEB. 2006 THE 2006 ENJOY COUPON BOOK FOR A LIMITED TIME, THE ENJOY COUPON BOOK WILL BE AVAILABLE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE OF $25 AT THE MT. LEBANON RECREATION DEPARTMENT. “TWO-FOR-ONE” AND 50% OFF DISCOUNT COUPONS FOR ADVENTURE, CASUAL & INTERNATIONAL, LUNCH/BRUNCH AND INFORMAL/CARRYOUT FOOD 412-343-3409 FOR DETAILS. P R O G R A M S & A C T I V I T I E S DanceClass SCHEDULE MT. LEBANON FALL HOCKEY SCHOOL SKATERS AGE 5 TO 12 The Mt. Lebanon Hockey School offers many new and innovative concepts based on the philosophy that hockey should be fun. The Hockey School enables players of all ability levels to participate and learn the skills of the game in a progressive, no-pres- sure atmosphere at an affordable price. The seven-week program begins Sept. 16. Fee is $80 per skater. To register or for more information, call 412-561-4363. LEARN TO SKATE Registrations for the fall Learn to Skate Series are being accepted 9 A . M .-7 P . M ., daily at the Mt. Lebanon Ice Center’s cashier, 900 Cedar Blvd. The seven-week series begins Monday, Sept. 12. Classes are taught by members of the Professional Skaters Association. Fee is $80 per skater. Classes available for all age groups—preschool through adult—and all abilities—beginner through high freestyle. Preschoolers (those not yet in first grade) enrolling for the first time must attend an evaluation class— make an evaluation reservation at 412-561- 4363. Applications accepted on a first- come basis; payment must accompany application. Visa and MasterCard accepted. Rental skates are free. Call 412-561-4363 for more information. MT. LEBANON DEVELOPMENTAL ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE SKATERS AGE 5-8 AND 9-12 FALL 2005\FULL EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 412-561-4363 Th Mt. Lebanon Ice Center’s fall Developmental League begins Friday, Sept. 16, for the children 5 to 8 years old and Sept. 17 for 9- to12-year-old division. The league is noncompetitive, “no-check.” EQUAL ICE TIME IS GUARANTEED. The seven league games played on Fridays from 6-8 P . M ., for the 5-8 year division; 4 & 5 P . M . Saturday for the 9-12 division. To ensure balanced teams, registration is on an individual basis with each player rating him/herself. Enrollment is limited. Full equipment required. $80 fee includes referee fee and game jersey. The league is looking for volunteer coaches. The Ice Center cannot guarantee a permanent goalie position. MT. LEBANON SENIOR LEAGUE HOCKEY For adults age 25 and older. The “no-check” league is recreational in nature, and having fun is emphasized over winning. Registration is being accepted by the ice rink cashier. Games are played Sunday through Thursday evenings. Full equipment and proof of age required. $130 per skater; $65 per goalie, and fee includes 12 games, two officials and a game jersey. 412-561-4363. FATHER & SON CAMPOUT SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPT. 17 & 18 (5 P.M. SAT. - 8 A.M. SUN.) BIRD PARK, CEDAR BOULEVARD MT. LEBANON Boys in grades K-5 are invited to share a unique outdoor adventure with their father or adult male family companion. Activities include campfire dinner and dessert, scav- enger hunt, arts and crafts, sing-along and stories around the campfire. Those who would like to spend the night should arrange to bring a tent or share one with a friend. Registration is being accepted at the Recreation Department Office, Monday-Friday, 8:30 A . M .-5 P . M . Or register online at www.mtlebanon.org (click on Recreation Department). Call 412-343-3409 for further information. Space is limited! Fee $25/adult and one child; $5/additional child. WHO: Age 3 (Creative Movement*); Children age 4-12; Teens WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center INSTRUCTORS: Staff of Vella School of Dance WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 15 to Dec. 8 (12 weeks). No class Nov. 24. FEE: Children’s 30-minute classes: $40 per class for residents; $45 per class for non-residents. Children 45-minute class- es and Creative Movement: $60 resi- dents; $65 non-residents. (Additional $5 late fee begins Sept. 8) REGISTRATION: In person at the Recreation Department Office; online at www.mtlebanon.org (click on Recreation Department) or by mail. Note: Class times and scheduling may change due to class registration and/or at teacher discretion. Class changes after Sept. 22 will be subject to a $10 transfer fee. *Creative Movement is a class designed to help 3-4-year-olds develop motor coordination, increase spatial and rhythmic awareness and help provide a positive learning experience. All classes are 30 minutes unless otherwise noted. THURSDAYS 9:45 A . M . Tap (4-6 yrs.) 10 A . M . Creative Movement (3 yrs.) 10:15 A . M . Ballet (4-6 yrs.) 10:30 A . M . Creative Movement (3 yrs.) 10:45 A . M . Acro (4-6 yrs.) 1 P . M . Tap (4-6 yrs.) Acro (4-6 yrs.) Creative Movement (3 yrs.) 1:30 P . M . Ballet (4-6 yrs.) Creative Movement (3 yrs.) 4 P . M . Jazz/Hip Hop (6-8 yrs.) 4:30 P . M . Acro (6-8 yrs.) Jazz Hip Hop (9 and up) 5 P . M . Ballet (6-8 yrs.) Acro (9 and up) 5:30 P . M . Tap (7-9 yrs.) Ballet (9 and up) 6 P . M . Creative Movement (3 yrs.) Acro Cheerleading (6-8 yrs.) 45 min. 6:30 P . M . Tap (4-6 yrs.) 6:45 P . M . Acro Cheerleading (9 yrs. and up) 45 min. 7 P . M . Ballet/Acro Combo (4-6 yrs.) 45 min. www.mtlebanon.org 89 rec adult classes YOGA (afternoon class) WHO: Adults WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Rec Center, 2nd Floor, Room A-1. WHEN: Tuesday or Friday, 1-2:30 P . M ., Sept. 20- Nov. 4 (7 weeks) FEE: $39 Resident; $44 Non-resident; $8 Walk-in rate. DESCRIP- TION: Enjoy the benefits of stretch relax- ation while building strength through Hatha Yoga. INSTRUCTOR: Janet Tant. EQUIPMENT: Yoga mat YOGA FOR HEALTH AND FITNESS WHO: Adults WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Rec Center WHEN: Monday, 10-11:15 A . M ., Sept. 12 - Oct. 24 (7 weeks) OR Wednesday, 10- 11:15 A . M ., Sept. 7-Oct. 19 (7 weeks) FEE: $39 Resident; $44 Non-resident; $8 Walk-in rate. If combined with “Pilates Workout,” the fee for both classes is $68/residents; $78/nonresidents. INSTRUCTOR: Carol Day and staff. NEW! ALL-CARDIO (NON-CONTACT) KICKBOXING WHO: Teens and Adults WHERE: Tennis Center, Founders Room WHEN: Mondays and Wednesdays, 7:05- 8:05 P . M ., Sept. 12 - Nov. 16 (10 weeks) FEE: Resident: $60/1 class per week, $90/2 classes per week. Non-residents add $5. INSTRUCTOR: Herk Hamm. DESCRIPTION: This program is a non- contact, go at your own pace, cardio workout. No equipment or prior experi- ence required. Get into shape and trim inches in this total non-stop cardio work- out that concludes with an abs segment. Bring a bottle of water and a towel. AEROBICS/ BODY SHAPING WHO: Adults and Teens WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Rec Center, 2nd Floor. WHEN: Monday and Wednesdays. 7:15-8:15 P . M ., Sept. 12-Nov. 2 (8 weeks) FEE: $65 Resident; $75 Non-residents; $6 walk-in. INSTRUCTOR: Sherry Locke, ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor and Staff. DESCRIPTION: Fat-burning, low-impact aerobics, muscle toning with resistance bands (provided), towel stretch/relaxation exercises, low-fat recipes, motivating fitness handouts. Stability balls recommended. PILATES WORKOUT WHO: Adults WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Rec Center WHEN: Monday, 9 - 9:45 A . M ., Sept. 12 - Oct. 24 (7 weeks) OR Wednesday, 9 - 9:45 A . M ., Sept. 7 - Oct. 19 (7 weeks) FEE: $39 Resident; $44 Non-resident; $8 Walk-in rate If combined with “Yoga for Health and Fitness,” the fee for both classes is $68/residents; $78/nonresidents. DESCRIPTION: A body conditioning class targeting the center of the body— the abdomen, hips, and thighs—with both strengthening and stretching exer- cises. INSTRUCTOR: Carol Day and staff. EVENING YOGA WHO: Adults and teens WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center WHEN: 7:15-8:30 P . M ., Tuesdays, Sept. 13—Oct. 25 (7 weeks) FEE: $39 resident; $44 nonresident; $8 walk-ins INSTRUCTOR: Ellie Conlin ROCKIN’ KICKBOXING WHO: Teens and Adults WHERE: Tennis Center, Founders Room Due date is Friday, Sept. 23, to sign up for WHEN: Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7 the first session of Jr. Team Tennis classes P . M .; Fridays, 1-2:15 P . M ., Sept. 12-Nov. (ages 8-18, beginners through advanced), 18. Session is 10 weeks in the Mt. Lebanon Tennis bubbles (Cedar FEE: Residents: $60/1 class per week; Boulevard). Applications are available at the $90/2 classes per week. $120/3 classes Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center. per week. Non-residents add $5 to fee. For more information, contact Bill Nichols at 412-343-3411. JR. TEAM TENNIS 90 mt. lebanon • september 2005 EVENING PILATES WHO: Adults WHERE: Rec Center WHEN: Monday or Wednesday, 8:30–9:30 P . M ., Sept. 12-Nov.16 (10 weeks). FEE: $60 per session for resi- dents (1 day per week); $65 per ses- sion for non-residents (1 day per week); $110 per session for residents (2 days per week); $120 per session for non-residents (2 days per week); $8 walk-in. INSTRUCTOR: Rose Anne Lyskava, Certified Instructor of full pilates method. DESCRIPTION: Strengthen and tone muscles, achieve greater flexibility and reduce stress through Pilates method exercises. Learn funda- mentals, proper technique and sensi- ble progression through this life- enhancing fitness program. An exer- cise mat is strongly recommended. FIREARM CLASSES Registration: Register at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, 8:30 A . M .-5 P . M ., Monday-Friday OR register online at www.mtlebanon.org/rec. FIREARMS SAFETY WHO: Adults and children (children must be accompanied by an adult) WHERE: Pistol Range, Public Works Building, Lindendale Drive. WHEN: 7-9 P . M ., Tuesday, Sept. 13 FEE: $5 resident; $10 nonresident DESCRIPTION: Basic fundamentals taught in nontechnical terms. For individuals who wish to gain basic knowledge of operation, handling and storage of firearms. Course is prerequisite for the Target Pistol Program. TARGET PISTOL WHO: Adults who have completed Fire- arms Safety course. WHERE: Pistol Range, Public Works Building, Lindendale Drive. WHEN: 7-10 P . M ., Tuesdays, Sept. 20-Dec. 6 FEE: $26 resident; $31 nonresident DESCRIPTION: Instruction in safe handling and shooting. Participants furnish own pis- tols (.22-caliber only), ammunition and hear- ing protection. First session includes a lec- ture and starting time for remaining classes. INSTRUCTOR: Elizabeth Bowers and Chris Bloch, NRA Certified. ART FACTORY FALL 2005 ADULT TENNIS CLINICS WHO: Adults (18 and older) WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Tennis Center WHEN: Saturdays beginning Sept. 10. 1-hour class, four weeks FEE: $40 resident; $45 non-resi- dent REGISTRATION: In per- son (using checks, Visa, MasterCard and debit cards) at the Mt. Lebanon rec depart- ment, 2nd Floor, 8:30 A . M .-5 P . M ., Monday-Friday. NO REFUNDS AFTER THE START OF YOUR CLASS or register online at www.mtlebanon.org. For more information, please call the Tennis Center at 412-343-3411. RESIDENTS $40 NON-RESIDENTS $45 ADULT BEGINNER (0-2 YEARS EXPERIENCE) 8:30-10 A . M . Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1 ADULT ADVANCED BEGINNER (2-5 YEARS EXPERIENCE) 10-11:30 A . M . Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1 ADULT INTERMEDIATE (5-7 YEARS EXPERIENCE) 11:30 A . M .-1 P . M . Sept. 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1 WHEN: Sept. 27 – Oct. 26 (5 weeks) INSTRUCTOR: Jodi McKeever WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Rec Center, Second Floor FEE: $55 residents; $60 non- residents except Color My World: $50 residents; $55, non- residents. REGISTRATION: At the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department by Friday, Sept. 23 or by mail to: 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. Space is limited; register early! COLOR MY WORLD, ages 4- 6, Tuesdays 9:45-10:45 A . M . and 1:30-2:30 P . M . and/or Wednesdays, 1:30-2:30 P . M . Explore the magic of color by creating artworks with a variety of materials including clay and paint. Songs, stories and more! FALL FANTASY, grades 1-3, Wednesdays, 5:15-6:15 P . M . Celebrate the magic of autumn by creating a new project each week that focuses on this sea- son. Paint, printing, clay…all these materials and more will be used. ART AROUND THE WORLD, Grades 1–3, Tuesdays, 4–5 P . M . Learn how people around the world create art and try it their way. Students will work with a variety of materials to create projects based on other cul- tures. COPYCAT ARTISTS, Grades 3–5, Wednesdays, 4–5 P . M . Learn about several famous artists (Pollock, Picasso) and then explore the techniques they used. Students will experi- ment with a variety of methods and materials to create a new project each week. IN TOON WITH CARTOON- ING, Grades 3–5, Tuesdays, 5:15– 6:15 P . M . basic concepts of cartooning will be taught. Students will perfect a character of their creation, develop a story line and add details such as color and text balloons. By the end of the class, students will have developed a complete comic strip. P R O G R A M S & A C T I V I T I E S REC TRIPS DECEMBER CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR STARRING THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES BENEDUM CENTER, PITTSBURGH THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1 WHO: Adults and their adult guests. FEE: $95 per adult. Fee includes round-trip motor coach trans- portation, orchestra seating for the performance, dinner prior to the performance at the new Cheesecake Factory on Pittsburgh’s South Side. Advanced reservations and payment are required to reserve a spot. Please contact Jackie Strasbaugh at (412) 343-4528 for more information. Register in person at the Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, 2nd floor of Rec Center; by mail to: Mt. Lebanon Recreation Department, 900 Cedar Blvd., 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15228; or online at www.mtlebanon.org (click on Recreation Department, then Recreation Events and finally on the green box to register online). We accept checks made payable to Mt. Lebanon, PA, cash and MasterCard or Visa. WEB WISE SENIORS WHO: Adults 50 and older WHAT: Basic Computer classes WHERE: Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center, 2nd Floor WHEN: B ASIC C OMPUTERS 1 & 2: 9:30-11:30 A . M ., Tuesday, Sept. 13 and 20, No previous computer knowledge required. B ASIC C OMPUTERS 3 & 4: 9:30-11:30 A . M ., Tuesdays, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. Must take computers 1 & 2 or have equivalent knowledge. T HE I NTERNET 1&2: 9:30-11:30 A . M ., Tuesdays, Oct. 11 and 18. Must take com- puters 1 & 2 or have equivalent knowledge. FEE: $49 INSTRUCTOR: Kevin Kramer Sen ior Lunc h and Movie Tuesday, Sept. 20 Arrive at 10:30 A . M . for check-in and movie. Lunch served following the movie. 1 P . M . “Traveling Antique Show” with Mt. Lebanon Appraiser, Vivian Highberg. Bring one valuable item that you want to have appraised. $4 per person. Reservation Required. Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center Sponsor: David Maniet Financial Planning www.mtlebanon.org 91 mt. lebanon s e r v i c e ANTIQUE & DECORATIVE GLASS- WARE REPAIR Crystoria 412-344-1022 www.crystoria.com for your home CERAMIC TILE INSTALLATION Floors & Walls. Quality work since 1977. TIM O’LEARY 412-731-0440. POINTING MORTAR REPAIR-INSURED Now is the best time to repair cracks and breakout. Mortar matching and neatness are my trademark. 10% Spring discount. 412-563-6128. 11 COSTLY HOME INSPECTION PITFALLS FREE REPORT reveals what you need to know before you list your home for sale. Free Recorded Message. 1-866-311-0618 x4011. d i r e c t o r y Architect Residential Only O’DONNELL DEAN EXTERIORS ROOFING IS OUR BUSINESS REPAIRS SLATE • TILE • COPPER • GUTTER • DOWNSPOUTS FRANK M. HIGHBERGER 412-341-5028 FREE one hour consultation SERVING MT. LEBANON AT 412-561-6117 Custom-built, Handcrafted Furniture and Furnishings Pete Schoonmaker www.vikingwoodworking.com TIM’S ELECTRIC All Types Residential and Commercial Wiring If you can imagine it, we can create it! 412-600-6450 • FAX 412-531-2429 LOCAL PRE-OWNED DEALER Save $$$thousands over new car prices! • Buy • Sell • Trade at your service TOP PRICES PAID FOR YOUR OLD RUGS Quality, Integrity and Accessibility Professional restoration. Hand wash cleaning. Specializing in stain removal. 1425 Potomac Avenue • Dormont 412-343-3977 www.wovenruggallery.com 10-6 M-Sat • Sun—by appointment 92 mt. lebanon • september 2005 412-571-2277 1130 Castle Shannon Blvd. at Rt. 88 www.martinautogalleryinc.com 724.942.3060 • 412.835.0589 SALE • TRADE • REPAIR • CLEANING • APPRAISAL 600 Jefferson Avenue Washington, PA 15301 MARTIN AUTO GALLERY 412.531.4443 Antique & Decorative Persian & Oriental Rugs Tents • Tables • Chairs Moonwalks • Chocolate Fountains 724-225-7703 Specializing in replacing old hazardous screw-in fuse service with new breaker service Free estimates Registered • Insured All work guaranteed WOVEN RUG GALLERY R.M.C. RENTAL ENTERPRISES MK COMPUTER SERVICES In-home Computer Service. Set-up, Training, Consulting, Repair, Trouble shooting, Data recovery. 412-512-6228. CHILD CARE Mature, experienced R.N. for childcare in your home. References available. 412-276-5932. b a l l e t • p o i n t e • t a p • j a z z • l y r i c a l 4 1 2 . 2 5 7 . 2 0 0 0 pilates B E D & B R E A K FA S T Whispering Winds S TABLES & R ETREAT Let nature surround you! 22 SCENIC ACRES AND GENTLE HORSES 724.547.2550 Only 45 minutes from Pgh. • Indoor Pool Outdoor Labyrinth • www.wwsr.biz A F I N E S A L O N My name is jeff Riley. I am looking for clients who want to learn the classical pilates method. At my Mt. Lebanon Studio, you will learn to properly perform the pilates exercises on the mat and the equipment (reformer, cadillac, etc.). Call and experience the life-changing benefits of pilates 412.833.4549 1ST TIME CLIENT ONLY—50% OFF HAIRCUT WITH HAIR COLOR PROCESSING BY TRACY 1665 WASHINGTON ROAD • SUITE 6 • MT. LEBANON (Underneath Molyneaux Carpet) INTERIOR ARTISTRY BY LYNN SMITH • DECORATIVE PAINTING • ONE DAY MAKEOVERS • COLOR CONSULTATIONS www.interior-artistry.com 412.344.1796 health & fitness 412.835.2000 landscape GEORGE GIRTY LANDSCAPE DESIGN George Girty, Landscape Architect. Design, build, maintain. Transforming visions and ideas into beautiful private worlds. 412-835-3245. www.girtyland.com DONNAN LANDSCAPE Landscaping, Lawn Renovations, Deck Cleaning and Sealing. Quality since 1979. 724-941-7530. www.donnan.com u d i o T h e T h o m a s S t A r t s i n g o f P e r f o r m Preschoolers Elementary Ages Ballet/Tap Combo Jazz/Gym Combo Specialized Teen Classes 1 9 0 0 P a i n t e r s R u n R d . P g h . , P A 1 5 2 4 1 w w w . t h o m a s d a n c e . c o m g y m n a s t i c s • h i p h o p • m o d e r n pets TAILWAGGERS PET SITTING, LLC Pet Sitting/Dog Walking/Pooper Scooper services. Exclusively serving Mt. Lebanon! Bonded/Insured. 412-343-3433. JK DOG TRAINING The personal trainer for you and your dog. Private sessions, Manners, Obedience, Behavior Problems. 412-512-3278. PAMPERED PAWS PET SITTERS Personalized in-home care for your pets. Insured. Bonded. 412-488-PAWS(7297). BANBURY’S PET SERVICE Working long hours? Going on vacation? We’ll give your pets personalized care in the comfort of home. Bonded. Insured. 412-851-9782. THE PET SITTER Loving Care For Your Pet In Your Home While You Are Away. 412-818-7549. instruction CERTIFIED HYPNOTHERAPIST SPECIALIZING IN REGRESSION 550 Sleepy Hollow Road • Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 www.svenkill.com 412.563.2858 • 412-448-1032 412.344.7434 300 Beverly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 www.PITTSBURGHYOGACENTERS.COM PA U L B A R B I E R I LANDSCAPING & GARDENING • Landscape Design and Installation • Mulching, Fertilization, Pruning and Other Landscape Maintenance • Flagstone/Sandstone Walkways & Patios 412.343.8882 VOCAL LESSONS Technique/Performance. Rock/Pop/Country/Jazz/Contemporary. All Ages/Levels. 412-531-5408. Leave Message. ▼ HATHA YOGA MEDITATION CLASSES WORKSHOPS MASSAGE THERAPY www.MtLebanonMontessori.org PRESCHOOL (AGES 2-6) THRU 6TH GRADE OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR 2-AND 3-YEAR-OLDS p. 95 www.mtlebanon.org 93 library C A L E N D A R DATES & TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL THE LIBRARY FOR DETAILS. FOREIGN LANGUAGE 16 C ASTLE S HANNON B LVD . HOURS: M ONDAY -T HURSDAY 9 A . M .-9 P . M . ITALIAN CONVERSATION 1:30 P . M ., T HURSDAYS IN S EPTEMBER FRANCOPHONE LITERATURE & CULTURE BOOK DISCUSSION ADULTS MORNING BOOK DISCUSSION DISCOVERY PROGRAM FRENCH CONVERSATION CHILDREN’S LIBRARY: 412-531-1913 FAX: 412-531-1161 Registration required 7 P . M ., M ONDAY , S EPT . 12 LIBRARY: 412-531-1912 B EGINS T HURSDAY , S EPT . 1 AND RUNS THROUGH M AY 2006 1 P . M ., T HURSDAYS IN S EPTEMBER KIDS LIT S UNDAYS 1-5 P . M . STARTING S EPT . 4 JAMES JOYCE’S ULYSSES 10:30 A . M ., M ONDAY , S EPT . 12 10 A . M ., W EDNESDAY , S EPT . 7 F RIDAY & S ATURDAY 9 A . M .-5 P . M . www.mtlebanonlibrary.org CLOSED “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman. For adults interested in children’s literature. 7:30 P . M ., T HURSDAY , S EPT . 15 SPANISH CONVERSATION SUNDAY SEPT. 4 & MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 FOR LABOR DAY GIRL’S NIGHT OUT 7 P . M ., W EDNESDAYS , S EPT . 7, 21 7 P . M ., T UESDAY , S EPT . 13 Practice your Spanish in an informal setting. PALS SLOVAK LANGUAGE LESSONS “Seabiscuit: An American Legend” by Laura Hillenbrand. 7 P . M ., T UESDAYS , S EPT . 13, 20, 27 SHAKESPEARE READERS 1 P . M . F RIDAY , S EPT . 16 5:30 – 8:30 P . M . F RIDAY , O CT . 14 CRAFT SATURDAY! 9 A . M .-4:30 P . M ., S ATURDAY , S EPT . 3 “The Known World” by Edward P. Jones. For families MYSTERY READERS “Blues in the Night” by Rochelle Krich. SIGN LANGUAGE FOR TOTS S ESSION I: 10 A . M ., T UESDAYS , S EPT . 20 AND 27 S ESSION II: 10 A . M ., W EDNESDAYS , S EPT . 21 AND 28 Registration required. Check www.mtlebanonlibrary.org for program information. 7 P . M ., W EDNESDAY , S EPT . 21 “Dave at Night” by Gail Carson Levine. 10 A . M ., M ONDAY , S EPT . 12 Join friends and neighbors in talking about current events and issues. PRESERVING YOUR HOME’S CHARACTER: RENOVATING WITH STYLE 2 P . M ., S ATURDAY S EPT . 10 S ATURDAY , O CT . 15 – S ATURDAY , O CT . 22 During regular library hours. HALF PRICE DAY 9 A . M .–4:30 P . M . F RIDAY , O CT . 21 BAG DAY 10 A . M .–2 P . M . S ATURDAY , O CT . 22 $5 A BAG LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING NEW! RARE BOOK AUCTION The public is invited to attend. FOLKSONG SHARING “Seabiscuit” TWICE SOLD TALES 7 P . M ., W EDNESDAY , S EPT . 14 7:30 A . M ., T HURSDAY S EPT . 15 MOVIES FOR SENIORS 4:15 P . M ., T HURSDAY , S EPT . 22, 29 TEENS JUST FOR GUYS MOVIES NO BULLIES, NO GOSSIP 7 P . M ., M ONDAY , S EPT . 26 Gala reception. Get first selection of books plus some tasty treats and champagne. $25 per person. ELDERHOSTEL CONVERSATION SALON EVENING 7 P . M ., M ONDAY , S EPT . 19 CHILDREN’S CHESS CLUB BOOKS AND BUBBLY 10:30 A . M . M ONDAYS , S EPT . 19, 26 KIDS & FAMILIES Registration required. BOOK SALE 6:30 P . M ., W EDNESDAY S EPT . 21 10 A . M .–3 P . M . S ATURDAY , O CT . 22 More details in the next issue, or call the library or log on to the library Web site: Come sing, or just listen. ELAINE’S MOVIES 7 P . M ., M ONDAYS , S EPT . 26 AND O CT . 3 SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY CARD SIGN UP MONTH Discussion and screening of “The Grapes of Wrath.” •THEME OF THE MONTH• E is for Elizabeth Check out our featured books, cookbooks, videos, Web sites and more. This listing funded by the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Public Library. 94 mt. lebanon • september 2005 THE SMARTEST CARD GET IT USE IT @ YOUR LIBRARY. backwords ➤ p.96 p. 93 JUBILEE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Mt. Lebanon Academic Excellence Taught with a Christian Worldview. 412-561-5917. www.jubileechristianschool.org <http://www.jubileechristianschool.org/>. 255 Washington Road. Limited openings in K-6 grades. SWIMMING Individualized training. All ages and skill levels. Private or small groups. Certified aquatic instructor. Masters Swimmer. 412-835-6616. swimpro@adelphia.net KINDERMUSIK® OF MT. LEBANON Developmentally appropriate music and movement classes for children, ages new- born to 7 years. Contact Elaine Kimber, 412-344-3674 or ekimber@adelphia.net. PIANO TOTS MUSIC CLASS Piano and music instruction for pre- schoolers. 15-week sessions in Fall and Spring. 2 levels of instruction. Registration includes free keyboard and songbook. www.pianotots.com or call 412-654-9677. LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER Now coaching for new SATs, Reading, Writing, Math. PA Licensed 412-885-7123. FRENCH TUTORING Parlez-vous français? Individualized lessons. Experienced. All levels/ages. 412.344.0614. valerie@city-net.com MATH TUTOR K – 12+; Remedial, Support, Enrichment; SAT, GMAT, Praxis Preparation. Your home if desired. Certified, experienced. Monica Stein 412-344-4372 or 412-327-1343. auditions THE ART OF SKRIPKA Auditions open. We are looking for young, passionate and professional level musicians for a new and vibrant chamber orchestra. Led by an experienced Russian conductor who expresses music in fresh artistic new ways, this is a rich opportunity for serious musicians aged 14–25 who appreciate the art of the unique and want to perform. Auditions for violin, viola, cello, bass and piano, September 24 and 25. To schedule your time, call 724-941-2992. Renee Rosensteel ▼ s e r v i c e ed with the question, “Where is your son and that there was almost nothing left for or daughter?” I learned from Terri Klutch us as parents to do—nothing but say that Ryan is attending Duquesne, from goodbye for now. Kate Tarbert thought Joni McDonald that Sarah is studying at about it in the car during the trip to Kent State and from Marian Gannon that Boston. Her son Alex is studying at the Kelly is at Wake Forest. And the athletes? New England Conservatory of Music. She Alex’s class boasted such wonderful ath- said, “I thought, ‘How can I tell him letes. I was not surprised to hear from everything I need to tell him, and to have Mary that Clint Seymour is playing base- fun, too?’” ball at Eastern Kentucky University or For Debbie Magee, that moment came from Diane that at a picnic on the Matt Langton is on campus of Duke Pitt’s Division I soc- University. She and cer team. her husband Bob Debbie passed had helped their around juice and a son Ryan move in. quiche, and the “It was a half hour conversation grew earlier than we had louder. Susan Steele planned on leav- talked about Lau- ing,” she said. “Bob ren’s experience at imagined me hold- Kent State: “She’s ing on to Ryan and living with her girl- Not even Einstein could explain how one day, crying. I didn’t, but friend from Mt. you’re a Markham or Lincoln parent, and the I saw Ryan strug- Lebanon, Lindsey next, you’re wearing a “Duke Mom” button at gling to keep his Barringer, and she Parents’ Weekend. Where did the time go? composure, so I is very happy. She said, ‘I think we says she feels like should probably go she’s at a slumber party. They bought now.’ I think Ryan was glad it was over matching comforters.” with.” That made me worry about Alex, so Many of us had delivered our firstborn oblivious to the blankets and pillow I had to college. And like our children’s first day packed for him. I wondered if he would of kindergarten, first date, first night out ever change his sheets. Patty Kernion’s with the car, it was a bittersweet experi- anecdote confirmed my worries. She and ence. Jackie Funt, who had dropped off her husband, Mark, had taken their son her youngest child Alex at the University Sam to Penn State. Like most of us, they of Michigan, was a veteran: “The first time had helped Sam unpack a few things and is hard. Even though it is painful for you, then said goodbye. Sam went on a camp- you have to be happy for them. What you ing trip and called his mother when he have to keep in mind is that they are so returned to State College. Patty said the ready, and it is their time.” conversation went like this, Time. The writer in me knows I “Do you need anything?” I asked Sam. shouldn’t bring up all those clichés about “I need more than one towel,” Sam said. time that parents use to frame their expe- He was indignant. riences. Of course children grow up quick- “What do you mean? I unpacked four ly. But the mother in me wants to know bath towels,” I said. how this could have happened. Where’s “Well where are they?” Sam asked. I told my little boy who marched so proudly in him they were in the closet, where I had Foster’s Halloween parade, decked out as unpacked them. Then, over the phone, I the latest super hero? What about that could hear the closet door open. spindly-legged Lebo Cup player, the fer- “Oh…OK…I’m fine.” vent AP US History student or that hand- Another cup of coffee and we passed the some young man going to the prom? For scones and discovered something all our my husband and me, those days seemed stories had in common. It was that to come and go in a New York minute. moment when we realized that everything Pass the Kleenex. in our children’s lives was about to change, www.mtlebanon.org 95 BY MONICA KAO s d r o w k c a b backwords COFFEE AND KLEENEX T he first day of kindergarten is not always easy for he’d pack a few clothes, gather up his gear in prepara- little ones—or their parents. It is a milestone, tion for NCAA fencing and load another tune into his and in the Foster School area, we celebrate and iPod. The morning of departure, my husband and Alex commiserate this milestone at a parent’s home. packed the car, and we took off with great trepida- The gathering is aptly called a Coffee and tion—not fear of saying goodbye but of hitting New Kleenex. York City on the eve of the Republican Convention. Back in 1991, when my son Alex entered But the university was ready for us. As we approached kindergarten, we moms talked about the preschools our Alex’s dorm, big smiling fellows in NYU T-shirts kids had just finished and the new school they were just motioned to the car, “Back in right here; unload over beginning. We drank coffee over tales of Ninja Turtles there. Here’s the elevator, there’s the room.” and Nintendo, Beauty In a New York minute, and the Beast and Barbie, my husband and I were f course children grow up quickly. and passed the Kleenex back in our car and when the conversation headed for Pittsburgh. But the mother in me wants to know turned to the passage of We sorted through our time. So it was with great emotions during the how this could have happened. surprise that I answered a long trip home, but I phone call last fall from Debbie Magee, a friend from the definitely needed some female company and a Coffee old Foster days. “I’m having a Coffee and Kleenex,” she and Kleenex to put it all in perspective. said. “It’s for all of us who have just dropped off our kids About 15 moms gathered at Debbie’s house for our at school.” And so 13 years later, we celebrated another new milestone event. Some of us had remained fast milestone, delivering our kids to college. friends from kindergarten through the Mellon and high The week before Alex began at New York University school years, while others were catching up among the was a time of great activity and denial. I was busy buy- muffins and steaming coffee. Like college freshmen ing sheets, a mattress pad and a desk lamp, while he was breaking the ice with “What’s your major?” we circulat- denying there was anything special to do. He figured ➤ p.95 O From Ninja Turtle tales to shopping for college, these Foster School-area moms have weathered their children’s milestones together—coffee mugs in one hand, Renee Rosensteel tissues in the other. Author Monica Kao is at far right. 96 mt. lebanon • month 2005 Great Agents... Latest Technology... Always Great Service! Michael Hornick Tom Harshman Terry Baldacci Arlene Murray Lois Goodrich Anita Crago Bonnie Byrnes Sydnie Jones Bill Smith Jane Krauth Laura Simon Sandy Hanson Sue Kelso Joyce Lewis John Geisler John Adair Julie Leslie Mary Ann Wellener John Conti Noel Bliman Angela Mize Ethel Levine Don Murray Carol Ausefski Heather Harrison Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. 1539 Washington Road • Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 (Across from the Galleria) 412-344-0500 Check out these fabulous Mt. Lebanon homes! New and fabulous, 4Br, 4.5Ba, 2sty entry, den, greatrm, media room, gourmet kit, finished basement, 4 car gargage! $985,000 Kathy Sekeras 412-833-5405 Perfection! Quality details, updates, 2sty addition, 5Br, 3.5Ba, familyroom, gameroom, 2 car garage! $425,000 Don & Arlene Murray 412-344-0500 Old World Charm & stately elegance! 5Br, 3+2Ba, den, gameroom, 2 car garage, priceless setting! $439,900 Maria & Joe Lane 412-344-0500 Charming Tudor, 4Br, 2 full Ba, LR Fireplace, 1st flr familyroom, kit w/ breakfast room, 2 car grg, deck overlooks great yard! $283,000 Pat Paslowski 412-833-5405 Impeccable, large 4Br, 2.5Ba w/ equip. kit, exposed wood floors, familyroom, covered rear porch!! $250’s Mark Pelusi 412-831-5555 Classic stone ranch with spacious room sizes, 3Br, 2Ba, gameroom bar, screened side porch, Governer’s driveway! $234,900 Kate Jones 412-833-5405 Charming, spacious and absolutely move- in condition! 4Br, 2.5Ba, 4th Br on 3rd floor with bath, deck! $234,900 Elaine Krelis 412-833-5405 Beautiful home! 4Br, 2.5Ba, kitchen walks out to omnistone patio and large level yard, 2 car garage! $221,000 John Geisler 412-344-0500 Inviting, 4Br, 2.5Ba colonial, beautiful cherry kitchen, familyrm fireplace, deck, invisible fence, 2 car garage! $214,500 Sue Kelso 412-344-0500 Mission Hills spacious 4Br, 3Ba colonial, updated kitchen, 1st flr FR/ sun room, office suite/Br on 3rd flr gameroom! Mid $213,750 John Adair 412-344-0500 CLICK >> CALL >> CONNECT Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated. Introducing LeadRouter. ® Now buyers click, our agents call and sellers connect. Start your home search at pittsburghmoves.com and see how our agents respond within minutes to online inquiries, faster than the others. Home buyers are searching online and expect information immediately. Prsrt Std US POSTAGE POSTAL CUSTOMER ECRWSS mt. lebanon magazine 710 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228 PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 232